LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



Shelf £..(!?_?[ fc 



.S-S5 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



The People's Book. 

A WORK FOR NATIONAL REFORMATION, 



SHOWING THE ONLY WAY TO RESTORE A HARMONIOUS UNION OF THE 






t; 



'9 



SHOWING HOW TO RESTORE HONESTY, JUSTICE AND PATRIOTISM TO OUR 
CITIZENS, AND THE WAY TO PERPETUATE A 



GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE. 



4 IIM ©1 WM^wmmMM, wmwiMM^ 

CONTAINING vSPEECHES, LECTURES, &c., AND THE 

PEOPLE'S NATIONAL PLATFORM 

FOR 

1880. u'>-''' 



IT IS A BOOK THAT SHOULD BE READ BY ALL THE DEFENDERS AND LOVERS 
OF AMERICAN LIBRETY. 



BY 

IJ"U"1?I3:El^^ C-fi^ij-vxa^T s:^i3iTiT. 
Right of Translation Reserved. 



The People's Book. 

A WORK m NATIONAL REFORMHIOH, 

SUOWINli THE ONLY WAY TO RESTOKE A UAKMJNIQUS UNION OF THE 



SHOWING LOW TO RESTORE HOXESTY, .lUSTICE AND PATRIOTISM TO OUR 
CITIZENS. AND TdE WAY TO PERPETUATE A 



GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE. 
A (JEM OF NATIONAL TRUTHS, 

CONTAININO- SPEECHES. LECTURERS. &c., AND THE 

peoplt;s national platform 



-FOK- 










IT IS A BOaiC THAT SHOULD BE RE.^D BY ALL THE DEFENDERS AND LOVERS 
OK AMERICAN LIBERTY. 

/ 
/ 
BY 

Z^'O-T^^:^ CJi.X.-V-I2sr SHIiTiT. 

Rijht of TraniJatlsn Reserved. 



1)55 



ENTERED ACCORDING TO ACT OF CONGRESS IN THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, 

COPYRIGIir OFFICE, WASHINGTON, D. I'., 

IN TUE YEAR 1880, BY LUTHER CALVIN SIIINN. 



TO THE PUBLIC, ==§3 



-(o)— 



111 FITS PA\IP:ILET is abridged fnm tha fir4 viUi ni, of our hn'^ on Xitoiil R'fi-nition_ 
r which shows the only way to bring about a thor.>uj;h refor:Uiitioa of oui- governmeiit, and 
hr)w to restore i fraternal Uiion of the peipie. giving the peo,)les True Blue Platform in 
full, showing the way to restore Jastic3, tl )ii3sty:, P*tri itis a, C > ifi Istiee and Prosperity to 
our country. It makes it plain how party worship an 1 party ambition, is enslaving our 
voters, making them tools of designing party lealers, and how this idolatry is destroying the 
honest pitri tiism of the people, thereby endangerioi our firm of govrirnra nit. It shows the 
only way to restore piice, u lion an 1 hirminy b.3twoen Labor and. Capital ; between Sections, 
&c., miking -diin ai A B thi lityofth; \ u iri^in citi/ijaj -a 1 1 i>s wj .vjra blessed to 
see this national way of Peace,[Union aal Rjforraation . 

Respectfully a Friend op the Peofle, 



Luther C. Shinn. 



-S5^; PREFACE. £=^ 



liEADEK : As you read ana ronsiJer our blessing and tlaims, ^c request you to have charily 
and ItMik at it in the true light ; for at first thought, you may be ajit to tl.ink ii unnatural, but 
as you reflect and ihiiik more deeply. y<-" "'ill 3<ie that there is nothing unnatural about it » 
t.'iat it is all according lo the gootliK'fs of God. Ourf- rm of government was, and is. in dan- 
ger of being' desiiov ed hy its sovereigns, its prol(<toi8, Eufl'iriiig themselves, thiouiih party 
love, parly warfare an I party ambition, to lose sight of their country ; tnerefore our ble^siIlg 
was only a manifestation of the approval an 1 confirmation of our phin of goveinnient.^by the 
Grtat J udse of all Nations, and also a manifest tion of liis great love fur our people, by calling 
thorn through his selected a^eat to come to their duty by giving up the fils^, fjr the sake of 
truth, that is, party, A •.,-for the sake of country, and come to their own prineiplt-s ol Govern- 
ment and any men or w jiuen i hat will give up the false for their CJod, country and liberty 
and will pjtriotically Woik and teach those piindples herein contained toour people aud Il.e 
thousju Is that have already done so, are our brothers and sisteis agents in this naliunal cause 
of salvation and purification of our form of uovernmjnt, and they ar..- also the free agents of 
the people. 

You will notice that our blessing was perfect, according to the teaching and light of the 
Bible ; tliat to prove our worthiness we were tested by the greatest te^t of the liible, but this 
we never thought of until af'er we had stated our blessing lo many of our friends ; so we say 
to you, through kindness and love for you— for we love all mankind— to suspend judgement, 
if you are about to condemn, until after you luive lead this work, for it is ba.l wisdom to con* 
demn before yo» investigite. And f say this truth to you that if God and country needs jou 
on the side of truth, in the cau^e of libi-rty, hu:iiaiiity and justice, you will not harden your 
heart, but will be convicted of the National Truths it contains and go to work patrio cally to 
carry out the same. One ihiug w>.' desiie you to remember, that we are your humble fellow 
citizens, that while our blessing was higli and great, it is natural iind lowly for it calls us to 
our simple humble duty as a citizen of our Republic and makes that duty plain, so as aloyerand 
protector of our priceless institutions, it is our imperative duty, to try to make the same duty 
plaiu to all of our citizens, for the united wisdom and help of all is ni>cded to accomplish tliis 
^rand work of peace, union and justice. T.ie wigilom, judgement aud statesmanship, that is 
needed to redeem, rcfoim and run our government is in the minds of all j>ur people and all 
our voters are wisely made the rulers, the iiign the low the rich and poor. But this wisdom 
must be gleaned out froiu the error and blended togethei for the work and this is our blesaing 
of the blessing ol all lovers of our form of government, to l>e gleaners of national tiuth and 
as they tiiid it, bind it together and cultivate iind grow it, for the union, peace and justice and 
happiness of our people, aui for the trutii, streugtu and glory of our Kepubiic. 

By tuk Authok. 



— 5j-*» ._ 
[iST Chapter^— Part ist J 

A PATRIOT'S VISION IN '68. THAT IS A WAENING TO ALL 
l0VF.es of OUE country in 1833. 



About the third hour of tl.e day, while riding upon the cars, He 
was taken in vision upon one of the hij^hwaNS of ihe country lead- 
ing from E ist to West, and there by the side of the road he saw 
an uncoiii'iion large rattle-snake lying upon high ground by the 
s de of the r< a I. its head W^e t and its tail and body ol ! quely Noith 
and South. It was not only large, but it was mammoth in itspio- 
portions and perfection of the destructive appearance of a reptile, 
its fat and slickness weie j^erfect, and atihe same time, this j atiiot 
saw an army of True Blues marching tiom West to East, towards 
the Capitol of our country, to rtstoie a fraternal union ot the peo- 
ple, according to the justice and tquUy of the constitution. He 
r.ould not see the end ot this army, as it was so long. It was com- 
posed of men averaging in the prime of life ; Miey were patriots of 
the first stamp, they hjoked so fiiui and determined, that it scent- 
ed that no earthly power cotdd chtck them in their onward march 
toward the capitol of the couiif^y. That is, towards national su- 
premancy tor they were guided and led by all the higher and no- 
bler principles of true patriotism, clothed i-i blue, emblematic of 
Tru.h and Pnwer with the symbols and ensigns of peace and jus- 
tice they marched in soldid column for the full restoration ot the 
ruling power of the people. After witnessing all this great exhi- 
bition of true sovereign dignity, independence, patriotism, union, 
and brothel Iv love, displayed in the cause of national union upon 
the great pi inciple of the ruling might of the people, his attention 
v\ as called again to the rattlesnake. At the same time he was given 
wisdom by the spiiit of the vision to read its every leeling, while 
Its eves sparkled with all the evil hate and venom of Satan, it said 
it would sting this army ot True Blues to death, but it could not, 
for it was helpless, and made so by the gluttony of its own creed, 
and by the power of God and the tear of the people. 

Patriots of America, it is easy tor you today to understand the 
bearing of this vision on National afiairs. The rattle snake repre- 
sents the money ling, and monopolies in its many forms and stages 
of national provision and destruction. Its first stage after the war, 
was to build up its selfish greed and power, by the prevention ot 
fraternal union of the people. Its 2nd stage was to grow fat and 



piwerfiil by stimulaiino: the people to fi^ht for a solid political 
North and South, while it absorbed and swallowed up the rich- 
ness of the land, making labor and production pay unjust heavy 
tribute to its unsatisf\ ing: greed. 

In its 3'(| stage ot growth, it has taken position upon high ground 
demanding that all our citizens must fall down and worship it. 
Worship mammon in'stead of God. truth and country, and at its 
own pleasuie be swollowed up into destruction. 

This army of True Blues (seen in the vision) is the oeoplc's na- 
tional reform moveinent, in all its tiifTeient forms aud branches, 
that commenced agitating iu 1861;, and has ever since been patient- 
ly woi king, to unite the true liitnds «f the people against this 
great reptile th it represents S.itan in all his subtle deceiving and 
distructive Power. 

FfUow citizens, you are the protectors of Liberty in this Heaven- 
born Repul lie of America ; therefore itjs f.>r \ou to decide the 
question, whether this army of True Blues shall march on and do 
its pattiotic wuik. It is f<r you to decide whether the God of 
Abraham, I-aac, and Jacob. The God of our Fathers, the Gud of 
Liberty, truth, and justice, shall ri.le. If you decide in the favor 
of the Gud ( f liberty truth and justice, you must conquer the 
■slavery of paiiv, for the sake of your country, and unite 
with this armv of patriots, that have conquied party 
for the love of their country, for it is impossible 
for a man to be a friend to truth, a friend to himself, 
country and humanity, and remain any longer a votiu:; member of 
the old parties, because this deadly reptile that would sling this 
Republic to death and swallow it up into distruction, has charm- 
en and capture*!, bv its dfzzling richness and coirupting power, 
the leaders of the Democratic and Kepublicim parti, s, and is u^ing 
them only as agents, through the prtjudice of a name, to lead tlie 
honest, patiiotic peo^jle up to the jaws of this serpent, there to be 
stung to death bv showing their sovere gn strength. Manh(<od, 
Liberty an.) Patriotism destroyed, then lie swallowed up into des- 
truction bv the unsatistying greed of this reptde, that is striking at 
the heart and life ofour republic. Being Rt- publicans and Democrats 
loving a government of the people, if \ 011 are wise you will flee 
from the leaders of those parties as you would flee from »he jaws 
of a deadly viper, for the only w.^y to redeem the riding power of 
the people anil thereby restore the blessings of true Democratic 
Republican government to our country with their attending prir- 
cii^les of justice :.nd equality under the law, is to unite with this 
uruxy ut True Blues. 



INTRODUCTION; 



To the people of the United States. In ofTeiing this abridged 
sketch of ourl)ook on National Reformation for the piibMc to read, 
we do it not.with a \ie»v of individual honor, but we do so for the 
honor and gloiy of God, and for the good of our country, and for 
the fraternal union, peace and happine^^s of all its citizens, hoping 
it may enable us to publish o ir complete wo'k, and if it will for- 
ward the^e things, our design in publishing will be accomplishetl. 

We publish the following short account of our l)lessing for the 
investigation and consideration of all our people, because we feel 
it is our duty to do so. We know that many will he skeptical 
about beleiving it. but this we cannot help, but still it is a crop to 
bear, and as we have bore the crop for fifteen years among our 
friends ar.d neighbors, being tried as few men are tried, we rej )ice 
to stiy that we freely bear the crop of declaring our blessing to our 
fellow countr\ men with the hope and pra} er that the truth of ihe 
same may accomplish the great good that God, in ins mercy and 
charity, designed to our eountrx , which is a perfect reformation 
and restoration of the union, U|ion fraternal principles of love and 
justice. 

September nth, iS6S, had a dream that was so real; already ex- 
plained. 

On the T5th of Sept. iS6S, at 2 o'clock A M , the Lord blessed me 
in this wise: I was walking the floor in ray house at Shinnston, 
W. Va., uflecting upon m\ condition, feeling a purity and truth 
I never felt before. I remaiked to myself that I felt thai I was 
almost Truth ; then God spake unto me and saiil : Vou must be 
Truth and nothing b.it Truth, no discrimination in vou whatever ; 
you said when a boy if in case the union was se^'ered, vou would 
giye up your life to restore it. Will you give up all, wife, childien 
and friends, and die ignominously upon the j-cafTold, if it ' is my 
will ? Then all the love that is possible for man to feel for wife, 
children, kindred and fiiends, was given me ; I never knew the 
depth of love before, but I conquered all and cried out from my 
heart : Thy will, oh T.ord, be done ! glorying that 1 could die for 
Him, feeling that lie would restore a fraternal union ttiereby ; that 
moment I was bltsstd with the foigivtiess of my sins, feeling 
lifted up from tlie flooi-, seeing the blessirg or holy spiiit descend- 
ng in bodily form which f-eemed to meet me half wa}- letwtenthe 
ceiling and the floor, ll.tn 1 w as as happy as man can be, itjoicing 



and praising Goclinniyjoyrrtfionght of the death named, but 
it sfemtd to add joy to me, to Unow that I had a Hfe to give to my 
God ; but then h- appeired to me ami said this is not reciuired of 
yuii, I onlv did it to tiy you, you shall restoie the Union, M> hkss- 
ine was not only an individi al, but also a national blessinj;. Being 
a patiiot and steinj; it in its true li-hi it made me so cxcetdingly 
happy, for d.iy^, which was easy to account for. lovinij my 
country with the de\otion that I did and seeing how fast it was 
diiiting fjom out of the hands of the ) e(.i)le, I had almost lost hope, 
at times, of e\er seeing it vtiltemtd and lia^ing ihe piomii-e lr( m 
God, who is all power, ihat it should 1 e redeemed and restored, it 
was bound to make n c tiamcendingly happy. I was so much so 
that mv fiiends got veiv uneasy about me, and what made them 
more so, I with child like faith told ihem the truth ot my blessing 
as it was, and it was revealed and confirmed to me day after day 
for some two weeks. I saw their tro djle an 1 trie.l to convince 
them ot their error, telling them that I would be in bet'er health 
than I ever was betore. &c., which all turned out as I said. My 
fiiends tiied to make me give up my faith, and after 1 was tried 
sufficiently I was giye, pjwer to fres myself from my friends and 
persecutors. 

September 17th I was t;ui2ht that no more blood would be shed 
to restore the Union, and how eu-^y it was to do it, which was for 
all good and patriotic men to lay aside all party lies and prejudices 
and unite and go in for the good of the country above party. 

September iSth I was taught that we must forgive one another, 
as we hoped to he fjrgiven, that all the blood shed by the civil 
war must be buried under the truths of the B.ble, that the exer. 
cising of the foregoing truths would restore a fraternal union. I 
will here give one incidniu to show, as a comparison, how peifect- 
Iv I was taught by the spiiit of truth in all these things. Septem- 
ber iSih;'6S, ii the afternoon, as I was coming up from the lower 
story of our house, I saw a soldier's beit, with scabbard and bay-^ 
onet attached, lying on the step, being guided by the spirit of God 
I picke.lit up and belted it around me; that instant I felt all the 
fullness of a soldie.s pride and glory, which is beyond the feeling 
and imagination of common men, 1 fell all the glory and power 
that a soldier coulri feel after he had conquered the whole world ; 
under the inlluence ot this power, being lead by the spirit, I went 
marching up the steps my feet marking time with a power that 
resounded ibroug.hout the house, through the hall to the pailor 



door, then I felt that T wa's ^oing; in liefore sotTifr &iijjust preRencr, 
I opened the door, went in to the table upon which was the fami* 
Iv Bio'e. unbuckled the belt and laid the bayonet upon the table 
by the side of a bale red back hy«nn book, and then lakinff up the 
Bible, laid it on top of l)oth. thus burying all the relics of the civil 
war under the truths of the Bible ; then tak nij up a white fl ig and 
crving three times three : peace on eafth and good will to men ! 
This was done liv me witht)ut an\ thought in the matter, I was 
lead in every pirt bv the spiiit, knowing not what was going to 
be done until it was done. I was made a witness that it was God 
that did it, and when it was done He plainly let me see what was 
meant. 

September 2lst, lS6S, about lo o'clock p M., bemg guided and 
led by truih, I was made in spiri\ bv compaTaiive action, mf)tht'r 
of the full Legal Fender idei. Dr. E. Sti ickler v\ as the attending 
physi«ian, L. D. J.uvisand [ohn Swiger, witnesses, 

September 23rd, 1S68, the name of True Blue was given me 
and all that would conquer party for their country. 

My blessing was not only an individual and a national blessing 
but it was also a church ble^sin4 ; t > adil n )re faith and power to 
the chri^tian church, which is needed so mich at this time for the 
gr > vt 1 of iruh am 1 the fa • v.irdi ig jf Cliris *s kini^dom. We 
believe that chiistianitv is going to make a greater growth in the 
next few \ ears than it ever did before in all the ages of the world, 
and lliat it will m.tke i s grand start in this annointed tree land of 
Anerica. This is the reason that we nuist liave our natiijnal house 
in orde'j s> it is plain to see why we publish these truths so when 
they come to pass G">d will have the honor and glory. So this 
faith, that is needed so m ich tor the onward inirch of Christian- 
ity, will be given to the world. 

Three steps to restore a fraternal union will be found in our 
book fully argued. The tirst is to conquer prt jud'ce ; the second 
is forgiveness ; the third is truth. 



[iST Chapter — Part 2xd.] 

The following is our abridged pla.forin for 1S73. Motto:— "By 
Faith 1 Stand." 

li-t, Platform, Constitution of the United ?^:ate^ an 1 the IT >ly Bible with all 
faiih ilk God, lii.it he will give ni? f.ili p uver, stren^ili a'n' true wi-idom to 
Cirry out ilie U >n^tiii!ii(jn to thj very letter an I mjininj;, nnd rustore the 
i.nion ill Hpirit and in truth. 

2nd, Principles of iir.fluiciiinj? honesty anJ unwavering patrioti^^m, in every 
department ot government. 



3p<1, a me limn t;iri(T. 

4lh, N ) hivMriie cl is.i L-ijis'alion. 

5tlj, rax.iii.)n of ihe U liie.I State* l)onJ<. 

»Jlli, Peacefi'il uiv.ex tli >u oi" !Jiil)i. 

Till, 'I'lie inie suveriign> of our I ml rnn4 be f ee, tliey must break the ly- 
r»»iinical and ojjpre-bive uliaiiirt of |).uiy, us-ert tliei.- libjrty a;rl s.ivn tiieir 
country. 

bib, The peojjle miift and hhitll rule; the milliuns of lionest working uifn 
Must be rei»resen;eil, &c. 

Dih, l>i Motto: — •Tri.th and cmnlry ab ive all parties." 

2 I I I'lnice. e 1 I ility a 1 I ri.'ht I » I'l ' p.' > »l.?. 

3ril, Economy, hoinst\, and paiii .ti-m in every depirtinent. oi g .yer:iiin.H, 
Scutiineiils ; 

1 vvuulii ^iiik, ohliteratf", iintrihil.itt and destroy anv part\ iiefoie 
I wouKI sillier one j »t tir tittlvi ot Nttional Triuh> to Kill t> tlie 
ground. All supporters ot this pi «if(jrin will i)e c.illeil True 
Blues. Re^ptc fully, 

T.,UTIIER C. SlIINX. 

We ofTcrred P:e>ivlent Grant and II >n. 11 irace G ec;ley, if they 
would ni.ike ariantjeme ;t> for meaiul meet nic; in lid iniore city, 1 
would >i)e.d< on the plaifonn, hut l'i*;v dicl not do ir, bit while in 
Bihimoie, bein^ ijuided bv truth, we left a c )py of this ua'ijual 
child cloihed in blue at the place a lealv preparevl fw it in the 
Maryland I'.stitute, un ler these Words, th.it we to ind d et 1^ put 
up for its reception : "And ler every one th it n riv^rh the nanij- 
cf Christ depirt from iirqiiit)- ;''Tini II. ijtli verse. 

This wa^ d )ne on ihe 3{'h ot' O:to!)er, 1S72. Tnis chil 1 oi'^ Na- 
tional Truth which was clothed in blue, eiiil)le;natic oi tiuth, has 
g^rowii in great i-trenj^lh since then. See its vi^jor, truth and 
beauty in its 3.d s'age and t^rowth of Manhood. 

Truth draws to truth like the needle to the ni i.rnet 

E.xiract of a speech delive:etl tt Shinnston, on th->* mottoes of the 
foregoing platform, November 1st 1S72 : 

It is plain to any o'netvin^j mind, as on'i an i two mikj thrj.^, that Truth 
and country, above all |iartie<, j isticj ard ri.;ht| honesty and oc moiny.shonld 
be die deriand and iu< lio of t'Vi-ry true |)airii)i in our I ind ; I'or as snre as G id 
creati'd ni:m, noiiiin^ bni irutli can evcrsive and ptirpetiiale tiur !,'ovt'rniiU'iil, 
and we iiin^l lia**- justice, rij^hi, iione-iy and ocjiu.my in every branch, to re- 
claim it from onjust hiws, ami ci.rrapl riilf, &c. riier^' are inidi un of our 
lioiuHi, patriotic vo'.eVs, workiiu in 'n. who are the sail of tlm land, who love 
oiir for in of jiovenunent at lis priceless »«orth, retina how f.ist it is diifiing 
totvard di-)<o'ai'ii>n and ruin, all by corriiii i.ni, iintriiih and iiiiputi iotiHii, are 
caiiini: wi h a voice tif pleading that siionld not bi- denied, thai we must liave 
Tiiilli, Honesty, In-iici-, KiMiioiiiy. Epiidity and lii,'!u in all national atFiirs, 
uud il ijuual be uLc^cd. 'Ike macioev> uf uur liuae-sl iabjiing iieo^ile liave ^.vl 



-11— 

tired of p.irty legislation, party corrijp i iii und dishone-ity nnd want tn be taken 
furward to a better (i.iy. wluMi ii will be coii-iiiefed an Imiior and ;t viriue 
and a duty , for o!ir public servants and ntHcials t<. siiiiport and legi-I tie for 
country, before party, linj; or cIhs^h. TI.ey dt-sire th» limp, when our le<{i.«latiir 
will be inspired wiili >o inii'^'i of the llvi r^ iiame > f Piiii i,i-iin that liiey will 
ftel it a ui.-lioror and a l.i'^tinij; disgrace to buy and f<ell the people's riiihts in 
(•onjrress, and ihev are repeiiin^ liiis ^vint an I desire Ir.'U li^'ait to heart, 
lliroiighoiil the United States, from the Vil.intic C lust to t*ie I'.n:i;io' sh jrc". cill- 
ing upon every son of Liberiy, lo adv cate and support National Triiili 
irri-siiective of piriv, ai(J c.irry it t TU'aril f«)r tlie salv tii »ii of onr 
K-piiblic ; all the lovers nt free li.n , all the lovers of our form (»f g ivernintnt 
who are iiit blinded by I'.-.rtx" Idolatry, are calling n;i )n ii< t) do this; and 
all the iiobli' .-pirils ol the past, w!» >se lives w» re sacriilici'd upon the altir of 
their country, for human rights an! iiiiman liberty ; are seemingly c.iiiin^ 
and tryinfj to 'is in save and purify o.ir in-!tiiii ions by brin^iu^ Triuh in p do- 
tics ; .-o let ns hearken unto their call an<l c^st off the sli.ickie* of p irty pri ju- 
dice and unite togelhir as one aim, up>;i tin p.i it^iilj ai I m lU >, &:. 

Our vpcech on the A neric\ii Fia^, at Shiniiatoi, Nj>e.nber 
4th, 1S72 : 

The American Flag, the ol 1 siars an 1 strips-, the i\ la we love po well, for it 
speaks to us of fieedom an 1 liberty ! The very sight of it tills ( ur iieart with 
patriotic e notion. Nallcnil pride and amb lion with renewed 1 )Ve and de- 
votion to onr c mntry, i-e ni I lit c tn ot t'le br ivrf un,^l i '1 acts and daring 
deeds of the mat ly. noble Ainerictn In roe- that have f »ught an! blfd ii:ider 
the lead*of its briglit fi)lds for the cause of hum in rights and human liburty, 

ai d for the dt'fence, protection and ^liuy of < in- country. The American fl ig 
speaks to urf with a thrillin.;, (luijkeniii^ p > ver of .stim ilaiiu^ p iiri cism and 

n v« H I ce ll.iit vcn< s fail to ^ixeonly a concpJion. In onr mind, we see it 
f<dlowed often to yietorv all 1 defeat by our devoted [>i')neers and defenders of 
liberty llmuigh all tie dark days of the revolutionary war, to the victory and 
triumph of the rijjhts of cur latl trf, to maie their own government; we cm 
see it in the fro It, lea liiijj our bray.' heroa.i of the w ir of ISli t!ir)i^i t'li 
many bttiles and struggles on to victory. In em'.ilem I'.ic pi.vjr of llea/j 1, 
conquering the emblematic power of earth, *.he Brittisli Lion! We see it un 
folding its bright C(dors, bri^'it stirs ami brij;lu sicips alo;i^ (.ur frontier, 
protecting American m itro I-!, hu-ib in U, s):i< and daughters, d'feiti ig aid 
pub.luing Nature's o\tii braves. A^alii we see it lea liiig ■mr k'ictorio n ar u'.es 
throughout tlie Mexican w ir. On ! 01 ! to victory iip.)n victory with >ut the 
loss of a biltie until it iinally w ives over thi Uity of Mexij >. I 1 a 1 i ter d ly 
we see St leading our gillant U li )! soMier-^ tlir )U^!i our blo-nly civil war, in 
vindication of the National Trut'i, 'ii lite 1 we stan 1 divi le J we fall," T.ie 

Ame.icMii Flag was wi.ho it (luesiion given t<» ns by inspiiaiion, for it is truly 
aflagof Tiuih, b. in.f a Heavenly fla,' — the stans ami blue groun 1 represents 
the sky, the colors are <;ur Savior's own c ilors, the r*^d represents the bi )od He 
ghed for forgivenesp, His lov'e and charity, wiiite, His yiitue an 1 p iriiy, Blue, 

His) truth and power, 
■Of all J loide CM faiih we should be the most true lo Gou of any ether 



Look at our ricli. ftrlile and exten^^ive Cduntrv, nnr free niul wl.ole.<ome ineti- 
luiions ir carriel out. All pr ive i!m he h m ble.-><el ih, exceeding any t)ilier 
nation or people po we .-iioul I hj r is lo I'iin aiul oir fl »; an I tlik»n we will 
be true to o-ir counlrr, ir le to w'liie by o ir yirtue mui [rUMiy, true t ) bl.ie by 
oiir tnitli conr.igK aui pi'riol'mn. 

Thf follow ii B HrconU wiili «air fii-h, It is llie lanl fcnlp'rce of a letter of 
conycaiuLition' to Prewhient Urant, by the Ihr.itli'e Alliance ot PariM. on our 
centenniii birth I ly, ftii our .1 14 wii'i lhi-« i i<pici 1 m eru'>'e»r, tlie beneJiui i m 
of ileaven marching b'fire you, "M ly lhi< divine b'ue lioti »ii sheii !;« ravs 
oyer your beautiful Republic wiili incre isiu^ brilli.iney. durinii centuries of 
peace, usefulness and goo.i wjrks and g>oJ will aui >ng men and fraternity 
among nationr*." 

J nay, GjI bleji^ the Tew^ for their g lol will an 1 good wishes to u^. 
Alter tlii> speech, we i.dopted our platform hiui tioiuinyted 01 r 
Pressidental ticket, having the T<jw n IJctll lull rung in honor if the 
adyent, or might more pitliy say the full birth of the True Blue Par. 
tv, that w a^ born to perfectly redet m our republic, we pre| ated 
our tickets and left them on a stand ivhere all c mid l^ee theai when 
they came to vote. 

On Tiit^dfiy iVe 5th of Nov{ u 1 c r. 1S72, I Witlktd 11 to the hall, 
picked up one of the tickets before the eves ui minv, and vote. I it, 
ill IS c isting the fi l^t } ote for a People's Ti tie Bli e Paity. 

As the foregoing letter shows the true spirit that prompted the 
Jris ids cf H go\ ernmtnt of the people to lay aside paity (or tie 
sake ol reform, and go tc organ zing a People's Party as much as 
anv part of our BjA, we here [jubiish it, but we have copies of 
hundreds of the same tone of sentiment that we have sent to 
fiiends of our cause in difleient pa.its of our Repid)lic. 

RicnMoxB, \V. Va,. August 1, 1877. 
Ml PSR!. C. B. Ti KTRICK and C. A. Rekdeu, 

DearSiks: — Yours was receiyel list Sj'i liy eveni 1^, -i 1 1 fcntrilysiy 
that the very notice that yon was going to hive a meeting fur the purpos* to 
ori!;anize a (Ireenb ick or People's Club c^usbI my heart to thrill with a flame 
< f patriotism. •*<> irrea', ih 11 il one spurk of it w is i,i <> ir p )liuioi lus au 1 le^i- 
lators, b )nd holders an! mniey ki is^s, it .soul! briu^ ab mt a new Ptat* «f 
aflaiiH U vs< tild liii g about that dtsired day of perfect union, peace, iiapui- 
ness and |)rosuerity it wotil I bring ticit l)'iiel f >r <l n', w!ien th^ constitution 
of the Ui. in d Slates will he carried out to the letter and spirit and thereby 
equallize taxition to ricli and [»)or alike, u'ivi'g j luicj and risrlit to all men 
not makmj lordn an 1 kmgM of o le cIh-* ai I slaves an 1 serfs of the oth« r 
alass, but liiat»»q I il an I eXA'M j'H'jee to ill, will never c • ue to our country 
»iniil the people, the w >rkin^ p.^ople, i!i3 true veimen ot our land, begin at the 
bdlot bbx to deal with <nir would bj in isters. Yes, it did me go oil, making 
my heart ri-joiie at receiving your notice, for I can cleaily ses by torming 
clubs of tnis kind all over the coiuitiy that il will lead to the oiifanizuion of 
a i'ttuplc'tf Tariy. twd a i'tuylv'a Paivj in ibe ouly pKrly that will evtr save 



—13— 

the priceless blessing of liberty given to us to preserve and perpetuate ; a Peo- 
ple's party is the only party that can redeem and purify our country and 
keep it from running into anarchy, riot, mob rule, murder, devastation and 
fineally a monarchal form of government; that being so, then how very impor- 
tant it ts for every voter throughout our land to do all they can in an honor- 
able way to organize the People's Party, it is their imperaiive duty as sover- 
eigns and Americans, and our very form of government is resting upon it, 
therefore it is not only a duty we owe to God, country, our families and our- 
selves, but it is a duty we owe to the cause of liberty and suffering humanity g, 
duty we owe to thousands of innocent children all over ihe land that are on 
the;eve of sending up their pitiful cry to heaven for bread; it is a duty we owe 
to our sires of 'T*?, who intrusted to our keeping the rich legacy of free insti- 
tutions. So let us who are blessed with such a patriotic love for our country 
that we can see the only way to save and reclaim it, falter not in our noble 
work. So I say to you Brother True Blues, God cheer and help you organize 
a People's Club that will be one of the true companies to help bring about 
perfect good will, justice and right to all our fellow citizens , ha^e for mottoes 
Country above Party, No Mob. no Eiot, No Murder, all National ill must be 
corrected by the Ballot Box and by Legislation. 

Yours Truly, 

LtTTHER C. ShINN. 

I org^anized this chib, makinsf them a speech. 

Extract of a speech delivered bv me in 1878: 

"This agitation that is extending all over our land is caused by the power 
of Almighty Truth. It is a test to prove whether the American people are 
worthy the continuation of free Republican government, if they are they will 
conquer party prejudice for the sake of f heii- country and organize in a peo- 
ples party, Ac, and then American principles of government will be redeem- 
ed and re-established upon ihe rock of immutable justice, never to be erased 
therefrom as long as time may last, there to stand as a beacon light for all na- 
tions and people of earth to steer their vessel of State 10 this haven and port of 
universal Justice and good will to men . 

A passage from our speech delivered at West Milford : 

Mr. Campbell Kaid you could not give greenbacks value because they had 
no intrinsic value ; that God wa« the only power that could make something 
out of nothing. Jl e forgot that God does his work through men for the relief 
of suffering humanity, &c. And he also forgot that our government is a sov- 
ereign government of the People , that the people have sovereign power, and 
whatever they declare money through their delegates in congsess, it becomes 
worth intrinsic money value. .Sovereigns can make money out of anytliing 
they desire, for earthly purposes ; tor earthly happiness and Justice have pow- 
er to take sometliing that is worthless and make it of more iutrinsic value to 
to man than the finest of Gold and the finest of silver, bv making it a power 
to help accomplish God's great merciful <lesign (sf love and justice to many, 
which is to free and liberate oppressed humanity from all kinds of slavery 
and bondage, and lead them into the fullness of Liberty. But, fellow citizens, 
we would have you to understand that paper is not worthless, for it is ot more 



—14— 

intrinsic value to the civilzed world to-day than gold, for we could do 
without gold but we could not do without paper. We have contended from 
the first that God is in this moyement of tlie people and through faith in the 
justice of our cause we know He is, for He is always on the side ot right and 
he is ^oinc to make through the love, faith and patriotism of the people, mon- 
ey out of paper to be as good as gold and better in many respects, to save our 
Republic and free its people and forward Hi*< great merciful design of the lib- 
eration of humanity, &c. 

Extract from a speech delivered on the Camp Grounds near 
Shinnston, July 4th, 1S78 : 

The same kind of system, comparatively, of the few governing the many, 
the same kind of Class Laws — taxation without representation — that stimlated 
our fathers with such a love for justice that i'gave them courage to sign the 
Declaration of Independence that was the birth ol our republic, is now threat- 
ened to be its death seeing the danger as we see it. if we did not raise our warn- 
ing voice, though feeble, it may be, we would be unworthy to name the names 
of the heroes of 177C, that so patriotically and bravely fought and many died 
for the cause of human liberty, we would feel unworthy to live in the land that 
is baptised and made holy in the cause of justice and the rights of men by the 
blood of American patriots, &c. 

Extract from a speech at Worthington in 187S : 
Many will be the efforts to assassinate, kill, capture and destroy this Liber- 
ty loving child that is born to redeem, to reform and perpetuate the priceless 
principles of free government, but they will fail to do it, because it is protect- 
ed by the almighty power of God, and it will seon grow into sufficient 
power and strength to stike the chains of slavery from our institutions and let 
the oppressed people of Israel go free. 

Passage from a speech delivered on the Shinnston campground 
in 1877: 

For here upon this continent upon the rich soil of America, in our times 
and days, is being waged the greatest warfare in the world, the warfare of 
Truth and Error. If truth conquors, Refiublican Iree institutions live, if 
truth is defeated and killed, Republican insitutions die, but blessed be the 
name of God, f< r He has so ordained that truth cannot die. It may be forced 
to fall to thetarth and seemingly be dead but it will rise again, for it is an 
element of C'hrist our Saviour, &c 

Extr'ict of a speech dehvered on several occasions in substance : 
It is plain to see that we never can have National Peace, Union, and Con- 
Rtitutional justice, as long as we the people lei these two old mad crowing 
roosters, the Democratic and Republican parties, fight over the bloody shin — 
the dtad issues of the past — for they will never bring nght to the masses of 
our people. The ptople must unite, irrespective of of party, and step fn with 
their souvereign authority and command peace between these two old bloody 
warriors, who have fought one another so long that they have become perfect- 
ly demoralized, until both are willing to accept help from the enemies ol tiie 
people and sell the people's rigiils and liberties for said help, in order to beaj 



—15— 

the other. They have kept up this foolishness too long for the happiness and 
progress of our country. Truth, liberty, and the preservation of cur form of 
government demand at the hands of our people, the rulers of our country, to 
enforce this command of peace and take their constitutional position as the 
souvereigns and dictators of our Kepublic, and hold it while these two old 
parties cool ofl and learn true American statesmanship and reform themselvs. 
We say, and we know we say truth and patriotism, to all citizens of our 
country to help organize the People's National Party, for it is the only pios- 
pective Saviour of our Kepublic, 

Note — Whom God lifts up, truth brings down to the bumble position of a man ; he finds 
that he is only one among the millions of God's children, and if he would do good to his God 
and himself he must work for the good and happiness of all mankind, 

True Blue. 

Extracts from my remarks against fusion in a speech made on 

the 2c;th of May, iSSo, on a boat going to the Charleston State 

convention : 

I have advocated from the first, and will, to the last, that our National reform 
movement should never make a fusion with either of the old parties; its mem- 
bers nave obeyed the call of country and duty, and have come to National 
Truth and purity, and to'mix pure water with impure water will make all 
impure ; therefoi-e, we must keep clear from the impurities and corruptness 
of the old parties. We have come to the base of our duty as protectors of 
liberty, we must not and cannot leave our post. We have asserted our sover- 
eign independence for the sake of our country, and fusion would take us back 
into the slavery of the old parties and destroy our organization, which is the 
only hope of our Kepublic ; so if we would save our country we must ever 
steer the People's National Party clear of the dangerius Kock fusion, for it is 
the Rock of decay, overthrow and ruin on the right and left of oui move- 
ment to national power and national redemption. We must not, and if we are 
luie, we cannot make a fusion with either of the ©Id partiess. Their members 
must do like us, let go of the prejudice of names for the truth of the same, 
and then they are with us. It is impossible for us to go there without desert- 
ing the last and only hope of liberty. 

Note from Book, September 11th, 1S79. — Every seeming defeat of the Na- 
tionals is their final victory; for it only shows more conclusively the necessity 
of a general reformation, tor when we are defeated it is done by the idolatrous 
love of Party and the corrupting influence of money, which must be stopped to 
save a People's Government, and it connot '-e done only by a general reforma- 
tion by the friends of reform stepping out of the old into this, the People's 
Party. The History ot the World proves this the only way for an old and cor- 
rupt parly was never known to reform itself. 

Note — October ;^rd, 1879. — We declared over 11 years ago that a People's 
National Party was the only party that would restore the Union, by restoring 
peace, harmony, confidence and good will, to all our people boih North and 
South, and that a parly of this kind would be organized. Sotie called me a 

names at the time for it, but thank the Lord it is here, and here to stay 

and do its glorious work, and in testing it it is confirmed and proven to be the 
party, with the blessing and guidance of Providence, to bring that union and 



—16— 

good will to all oiir people by giving constitutional jiifltice to all the States 
and voters, both North and South, in onr work of organizing, &c. We have 
worked with men that was at daggers points with us during the war, but now 
perfect union, faith and coniidenoe in one another, being united in love and 
harmony by the same light of truth and patriotism, we bury all the relics of 
the bloody shirt under the truth taught by the Bible, forgive as we iiope to be 
forgiveii, through a common love for our country, and are on^ in this good 
work, heart to heart, mind to mind, in restoring brotherly loye and good will 
to all the voters and people, ao it is the way and only way marked out by 
providence, reason, common sense and patiiolism, to bring about a full restor- 
ation of Union and Constitutional justice. 

We recognize that both sides through the war was fighting honestly from 
eaeh one's standpoint, both fighting for the love of Liberty ; that it was selfish 
men and ambitious political leaders that got our people into trouble , and that 
hereafter they are going to lead themselves and correct all national evil by 
the way marked out by the genius of our institutions which is by the ballot 
box and by legislation. 

Extract from a letter written to Col. Jesse Harper. Dated August 
23rd, 1S79, wh'ch is only a sample of many others that I have 
wrote to our co-workers ; 

My dear friend, I look upon the National Truths which is being taught by 
the advocates of the people in this national movement of reform, with unwa- 
vering faith and convictions a,6 the only hope of our Republic ; the combined 
extract of our principles of justice are glorious, pure, j"st aYid perfect. They 
are Heaven born. Heaven inspired — like the great truth thai came down from 
the land of Truth and Justice, to free humanity from the bondage of slavery 
and oppression of sin. 

The beauty of our principles is ; there are no National Truth that can be 
inspired in theliearts and minds of men but what areembraijpd in our broad 
principles of Justice and Right. T recognized this fact over eleven years ago 
which caused us to make Truth and the Constitution of the Union, the 
foundation and corner stone of all our principles. Anything that does not 
agree with truth and the constitution, must be ca.^t out as unfit timber to go 
in our national building. We have made Truth and the constitution the base 
of our princii)leK in organizing in this part of vVest Virginia, this movement 
«f the people is a gleaning process, gleaning the wheat from the cliaft', the pa- 
triots from the old parties, to save our country from corruption and the 
death grip of the money power; and it also is the gleaning of principles for 
the same purpose ; it is the work of the lovers of self government inspired by 
patriotism to provide ways and means to redeem our priceless lieiritage 
of liberty, &c. Ever since 1 knew you as a worker I have looked upon yon as 
one of tlie great champions of the people's rights. May God bless you wich 
more and more pnwers to work for the pei»ple. 

With deep reuard I am your lasting friend, for you are a frieiid of Truth, 
J«8lice, and the People. Lutiiek C. Shinn. 

See our faith in the final success of our cause, (iod is Almighty. He has 
all power. He it) with us. Read St. .John, 1 Ith Chap, l.'ith and I fth verses. 



—17— 

KoiE.— The day is coming soon when nothing but Truth will be the leailing power to lead 
our voters ill tlie broad li^ht and highway of National Truth, and the same power will lead 
and guide our official servants in the same highway of true wisdom, Justice and Statesman- 
ship. True Blue, 

NoTK.— If men that want to do right, take the force of Might to accomplish it, ,they do 
wrong, and they often cause the innocent to suffer, as well as the guilty. 

The civil war between the North and South, is a plain lesson to all American citizens that 
they must settl e wrong and ditlerences hy the law and by peace, which is by truth, by the 
ballot box, and by legislation. God in His goodness, mercy, and love to our citizens, has 
blessed them, nationally, with perfect free agency ; they can have war, or they can liavo 
peace ; they can have corruption, or they can have purity ; they can hpve dishonesty and bri- 
bery, or honesty ; they can have a harmonious Union, happiness, and prosperity, or they can 
have disunion, unhappiness, poverty, want, and distress ; they can have justice and liberty, or 
they cau havt injustice and slavery ; they can have a government of tne people, for the good 
of all the people, or they can have a government of tlie few, for the benefit of the few, to the 
affliction of the many ; for their will is the sovereign power of the land, and whatever they 
will is law. God bless our people aud give tUeni good will and patriotism lo carry out the 
same so our republic will live, is the prayer of True Blue. 

Extract from a speech in 1S79 : 

We see that the last elections is doing tlie people's can.se aood by gleaninsj 
from their partymen tliat enlisted thfoiigli selfi^ih ambition, Sic. Let tliem 
go begging and b.iwing back to their old party idols, for Truth, Justice, and 
pleading humanity need them not in their holy struggle lor national reforma- 
tion. The cause of the people has no place for men that will compromise 
their soyeriegn conscience, their liberty, manhood, and independence, for the 
saKe of office, &c. We would not have a voter in our ranks unless lie is soundly 
convicted that oi'.r cause is right, and is willing to give up all Idolatrous love 
of party lor the sake of his country; a true national has enlisted in the cause 
of the people for life, it is sink or swiiTi,live or die, survive or perish, it is po- 
.litical victory or political death, national life, or national death, for he is 
convinced that nothing but a people's organization will ever save our repiib- 
lin and bring a patriot of the first water. Loving a government of the peo- 
ple he never will desert, betray, compromise and .sell the lasf, hope of the peo- 
ple, so let the weak go and for every one we lose, the spirit of Liberty, Truth 
and Justice will insure ninety and nine to take their place. 

Our ^[)eech lit-toie <.>ur Congressional Convention, September 
I :;ih, 1883, on inoiiiMi ti> adjoiini wiih»iir :-j >ni!i itin j ;t' cundi- 
date : 

Mr. President, we bi lieve that there are none of ourco workers that know 
me. but what gives me credit for having the success of our cause at heart 
above every other ambition. Many of my personal friends of ourcause charge 
me — that I am too devoted, giving too much of my time, &c. to forward our 
priiici[)les. But after due reflection, weighing the matter in all its be.arings, I 
am firmly convinced and have been so for over two months that we must have 
a ticket in tlie Held for Congress. We have worked hard and earnestly for 
years 10 get men to step out of the slavery of party for the salvation of their 
country, and to-day the independent voters on the side of Liberty and the 
people have the balano of power in our district, and that balance of power 
should he held to discharge our duty to the high calling of our cause of re- 
deeming the {)ower of the people, and for us not to have a ticket in the field 
is a surrender to our enemies ; and for us ro see our friends that have ireed 



— 18— 

themselves from the slavery ot party for the cause of their country, taken 
back into the mire and corruption of the unwritten struggle of tlie two old 
parties, for the spoils of office, would be such a mournful sight that we could 
not witness it without the deepest sorrow; so it is our duty, our iniparatii?e 
duty, to have a ticket in the field. 

The reflection has been made that we have not a man in our ranks of suf- 
ficient intelligence, &c. to represent us in the halls of Congress ; this is an in- 
sult to the working, producing, business men of our county and district, for I 
can go into the mines, upon the farms, and in the W( rkshops, and find hun- 
dreds of working men among the diflferent branches of labor and business, in 
nur county alone, that have laid aside party for their country, and stood up 
manfully and patriotically for the people, that are more qualified, 'to 
represent a goyerniaent of the people in the halls of Congress, than the most 
gifted and highly educated of the old parties that have not had enough good 
judgement and patriotism to step out of the prejudice and slavery of the old 
parties to help our people in their great crisis of restoring a government of 
the people back into the hands of the people, that it may be run for the good 
©f all the people. 

Men that will do as ourshaye done, are the men to represent a free people — 
for by their volunteer acts they prove a judgement, honesty and patriotism, 
that is now needed among our officials in the halls of (longres.-^ more than any- 
thing else; the fount of all Truth and Power gives true patriots that prove 
their devotion by their acts wisdom, judgment, and statesmanship. 



Chaptee 2n(). Part 1st. 

The times demands progress in Liberty. We believe the time has come for 
the world to make another advancement in progress in the cause of human 
liberty, justice, and equality to men; we believe the time has come for all 
lovers of Truth, all philanthropints, all lovers cf the just rights of men to step 
out of the .flavery of their old prejudices and unite their power and sympa- 
thies together for the relief and alleviation of sufTering humanity. 

Liberty if like every other truth, it cannot stand still, it either must go for- 
ward or else it goes backwards, and when there is a special call to its friends 
to make another ftep for;\ard in progress, if they do not obey that call and 
conquor and surmount the obstacles in its way, it goes bacwards, and this is 
the call by the spirit of Patriotism, Liberty and truth, to all friends and 
lovers of Liberty and Justice, to make another step forward and upward to- 
ward the the hili-top of freedom ; for the emancipation of suti'ering humani- 
ty, to liberate labor — working-men and working-women from the heaw bur- 
den and yoke of i)ondage that is being forced upon tliem by the monied mon- 
opolist and king cf the world, who have combined together to rob labor and 
production of it« just rewaid. 

While we heai the call and demand for the emancipation of labor from in- 
justice and oppression from every section of our beautiful Republic, that is 
threatened to be bliglned by this deadly power: it comes sweeping across the 
length, i)readlli, and depth ot the Atlantic Ocean, from the toiling millions of 



—19 — 

Rngland, Germany and Russsia, and we hear it repeated again and again 
from the haggard cheeks and pale lips of the oppressed, starving millions, of 
the down trodden laborers of Ireland, and this mournful wail and cry for re- 
lief from the heavy burdens put upon labor and working men, by^the monied 
combinations, is re-echoed and resounded from heart to heart of all the labor- 
ers throughout the civilized world ao loud that eyen beaten lands have taken 
up the cry of freedom and emancipation. 

As the voters of our country must ever be first to champion tlie forward 
march of freedom, liberty, and Justice, to discharge the great duty they owe 
God, who has blessed tliem with the great blessing of being sovereigns. Priests 
and Kings, of Liberty, Truth, and Justice, we find to-day over three hun- 
dred thousand of our voters that have obeyed the call and demand of Justice 
and are in the front against the monied combinations that are trying to foster 
protect pnd perpetuate its wrong and injustice through the prejudice of a 
specie basis system, that has been handed down from the dark ages of the 
world, and as one of the three hundred thousand, we have been working for 
14 years to get our fellow -citizens to come into the light of the times and 
demand and call of Liberty and unite their powers for the forwarding of Jus- 
tice. It has been our patriotic mission to stimulate and educate* good men to 
come out of the prejudice of party that blinds and obscures their mental vis- 
ion and cripples them from discharging their sovereign duty as protectors of 
Liberty and Justice. 

While it lias been our work to get men to free themselves from all enslaving 
powers for the sake of their country, it has been our work to gleen Truth 
from error and bind it together in a code of national principles for our fellow- 
citizens, that Love, Truth, and country above party, to unite upon to do their 
national work, in compliance of tlie demands of the times, and as one of the 
three hundred thousand being guideJ and lead by the s[)irit of Truth, the 
same as we were lead to bury all the relics of the civil war under the Truths of 
the Bible, we have prepared the following Foundation and Platform for all 
lovers of Liberty. Truth and Justice in our country to unite upon. 

[See three steps to restore fraternal Union in our prepared book for publica- 
tior,.] By giving up idolatry of party, false love of party, for the sak^ of coun- 
try and forgive as they hope to be forgiven, our people just as naturally come 
to Truth and the constitution of the United States as the foundation and plat- 
form of all their national work, as a child comes to the bosom of its natural 
mother tor ita life sustaining food and nutriment. 80 Truth calls upon the 
voter<< of America, the children oi our Republic, to come to your Father bv 
comii g to Truth. Come to your mother, your national life sustaining food 
and nutriment, that will grow into the strength, endurance and permanency of 
national manhood, by coming to the constitution of the United Stdtes, for it is 
your only life and existance as( a government of the people. 

True Bi.ve. 



True Bines' and the People's National Platform given to me to give to the 
People, as explained in our book on reformation. 
. To set the People's National movement for Fraternal Union and Reform 



—20— 

fairly and understandingly before the public, we publish the following plain 
toundation and platform, upon which we stand in the cptuss of Country, Liber- 
ty and Justice. 

By faith we stand and build upon this Truth, faith in God and a (govern- 
ment of the people. 

Forgive us as we hope to be forgiven. 
Peace, Virtue and Justice. 
Truth and Country above all Parties. 

1st, Truth the foundation and the constitution of the United States, the 
platform ot all our natiojnal principles and national work, with unwavering 
faith, devotion and patriotism in the principles of a government of the people 
with perfect faith in God, that he will give us, the people, statesu-'anship. &c., 
and true wisdom and power to carry out the constitution to the letter and 
meaning, according to Truih and Justice, and restore Iraternal union. Justice, 
confidence, happiness and prosperity to tbe government and the masses of the 
people. As our government is of the people and for the people, all principles 
calling for their support should be in plain, direct English, so the masses can 
understand. 

2nd, Principles of Platfoi-m. — No favorite legislatim, but justice and right 
to all, rich and poor, to labor and capital, irrespective of party, religion, faith 
sect, creed or color. 

3rd, Cliprity to all and Liberty of conscience according to law, reason and 
justice. 

4th, Continual separation of churcli denomination and state, so that Truth 
can have free cours^and be gl.iiified. 

ilth. Equality ot taxation, tor the constitution of the United States makes 
no fayorite class or favorite property, all men and all property, ail property 
must bear their equal proportion of the public burden?. 

Gth, The people must be represented, therefore we declare this truth of our 
form of government, ihaf the people, the sovereigns of our country, must and 
.shall rule our country. 

7th, The officials are onlj' servants of the people, not their sovereigns, as a 
majority of them have made themselves by usurpati( n for tlie last 14 vears, 

Sth, Equal rejjresentation of all the dilFerent branches of business, capital, 
and labor, each should have its proportion, and as labor is the true produce of 
all national weallii and national strength, it must be fostered, encouraged and 
protected both by Slate anc! National legislation. 

!)th, We demand by legislation a just restriction all railroad monopo- 
lies and all o'.her monopolies, and no more donations of puolic lands to rail- 
road companies or corporations. The public land must be kept for the settle- 
ment of our ciiizent and not sold to non-resident foreign capitalists. 

10th, Olficial corruption must stop and we will have honesty and patriot- 
ism in every department of government. We demand and will haye a com- 
plete reformation in the civil service. 

!lth, As honesty patriotism are two of the most assential priticiples for 
national reform and for justice, we make them the first qualification for 
official trust , true wi.sdom, justice and true jufigement the next. 

12th, As lovers of the rich principles of .self government, and winhing to re- 
deem and preserve the same for ourselves and future generations, we must free 



—21 — 

it from the great dangeV that new threatens it from the hands of the piunied 
combinations and monopolists ; to do this we must change our banking and 
financial system to lighten the burden* of the heavy indirect taxation of the 
people, to save the excessive interest and premium the people are paying for 
the use of money ; the people are paying for the use of money that goea into 
the hands of the money power and mouopalist, who use it to corrupt legisla- 
tion in their selfish power, to the injustice and oppression of the people. 

13th, We demand that the government exercise its power, right and duty for . 
national protection and general justice bv furnishing full legal tender treas- 
ury notes sufficient wiih the gold and silver on hand for th» business necessitiee 
of the coButry and no more, and pay all debts of the United States per origi- 
nal contract, with these full legal tender notes or money for such notes, which 
will be money as good as gold tor all purposes of money, for they will be based 
upon the faith, patriotism, wealth and resources of the whole United States 
like the United States Bonds ; this will make triends of the money power and 
the people ; both then will have a common interest in the protection and pres- 
ervation of our republic, and it will be * strong b.ind of common interest to 
bind every State and section of our republic in Union together. [See History 
of Rome.] 

14th, Re{feal the National Banking act and annul! their charters, for it was 
unwise and unjust, contratry to the letter and spirit of the constifution, leg- 
islating the liberty, power and rights of the people into the hands of a favor- 
ite class ; call in and destroy the National Bank currency and pay off the 
bonds of the National Banks in these full legal tender notes, and in gold and 
silyer when the original contract demanded it. tnd let them do their banking 
on these notes and gold and silver. 

15th, We demand the unlimited coinage by the government for the present 
of gold and silver, making all coins and issues «*f the government a full 
legal tender, and keep the circulating uiedium at a fixed per capata ; basing 
the starting point upon the amount of the requirments of the 13th and 14 prin- 
ciples, and then increa«!e the issue of the legal tender according to the business 
demands of the country and no more ; this financial plan will give the govern- 
ment the right of way which it has to get out of debt, and free and liberate 
itself and its people from the death grip of the money power that is fastened 
upon its throat and upon labor and the energy and industries of our people, ii 
gives us three monies, all of equal value, luaking the workingman's dollar as 
good flsthe rich man's dollar which is constitutional, justice nnd equality. 

16th. It is one of our first duties, as voters, to exercise true sovereign liberty 
and independence and rise in true courage, manhood and patriotism above the 
slavery and prejudice ol party and co-operste and work together above all 
party selfish or Bectionsl ends, for ttie general good welfare, peace, union; har- 
mony and prosperity of tiie whole country, knowing no North, no South, no 
East no West, but justice and liberty to all, accrding to the beatiful intent of 
our form of government that gives every citizen of the Republic equal rights 
under the law. 

17th, Three of our grand principles and mottoes is, country above all par- 
ties, equal and exact justice to all men and special privilc^'es to none and 
equal rights under the law to all. 



ISth, As we see the necessity of redeeming, purifying and preserving our own 
individual Hovereignty, right and liberty, we see that the true constitutional 
bovereignty of the States must be preserved to strengthen and protect the gov- 
ernment and all its citizens ; no centralized aristocracy is our principles. 

19th, The majority of the people must rule, is one of our great constitution- 
al principleii for )>eiine, union and harmony and lor the protection of free gov- 
ernment, 

20th, Peace, no war to correct our governmental evil'j, no mob, no riot or 
murder, all ill ot the government must be corrected by the ballot bjx and by 
legislation. 

21st, Peaqe and good will to all men with charity, giving every man his 
constitutional right to differ with us, and vote according to 'the dictates of hia 
conscience; we advocate ll-ee speech and a free prr-ss. 

22nd, We recommend and demand the passage of strong laws and the ex- 
treme inforeement of the same, for the purification and protection of the bal- 
lot box; for by fraud, intimidation, bribery. 4&c., our elections are becoming a 
liham ! a mockery ! an insult lo Liberty, Truth, and .Justice; the ballot must be 
kept free and pure. 

23rd, Peace with all nations when it can be maintained without the sacra- 
fice of national honor, arbitration the true way t<- settle all national ditiicul- 
tie.s, • 

24th, Oflicials abroad must be honest, true and mcudestjso a* to reflect diefniiy 
and respect upon our Kepubhc at home a.s well as abroad. 

2r>th, It is our duty as lovers and guardians of Liberty to sympathize and 
assist all men that are |u»lly conttnding for Liberty as far as the law of hu- 
manity and justice between nations will permit. 

26tli, We leave the question of high or low tariff to besettled by the people's 
next National Convention ; better, still if it could be settled by the people; we 
incline to a medium tariff to be justly proportioned so as to protect all clatses 
and so that none can monopolize it to the injury of labor. 

27th, We want the constitution amended, making the people the elector.-t. 
28th, We affirm this truth of our fathers, the builders of our republic, that 
gcvernments was instituted among men for the protection of its citizens, not 
.lor their oppression, as ours has been run for 15 years ; therefore our govern- 
ment must be reformed to its true design and interest, and ever run and admin- 
istered for the good and protection of the masset ; to do otherwise is a viola- 
tion of our instilutioiis. 

29lh, As a people we must stop our fnlse pride, e xtravagence, iSic., our idol- 
atry of dress and display and live econnmically as Republicans should, for this 
aristocratic pride and false lo/e is antagonistic to freedoiu, ami contrary to 
our torm of goverment, and is one of tlie causes cf our national dein iralizt- 
tion and financial trouble tor the last 12 years or more. 

3Uth, As a Kepublic we must reforui and repent of our national sins, by giv- 
ing up idolatry of party prejudice, selfishness, &c., and come to national truth be- 
fore we can leceive a national blessing such as is needed to save our Kepublic. 
31th, As lover* of Liberty it is one of oiir paromuiit duties t-> cultivate and 
educate into the hearts and minds of our people all of its attributes, stavs and 
upports, among which Its greatest is Christianity, virtue, i>urity, education, 



—23— 

true windom and brayery, and next to first not laitt U honesty and patrii>tUin. 

32nd. While we indorne the broad and wholesome principles of the Toledo 
National Platform and now the Chicngij Platform of June 9th, IS 80, we 
fully recognize this truth of the people's agitation for reformation, that it ia a 
perfect gleaning process, gleaning the patriotic men out of each of the old 
parties to serye our country and aUo gleaniiis; truth from error out of parties 
and men for the same noble purpose, therefore any national truth is a plank 
in this the People's Platform. 

33rd, A National Truth i- that which is for tho happiness and welfare of the 
masses of our people, and doe- not conflict with the constitution of the United 
States. 

34th, As the voters are the rulers of our country, tliey are the ones to bring 
forward the principles they want carried out, and in our State and Nationa 1 
Conventions, under the majority rule, we will siill be gleaners and eclectics, 
and extract the truth Irom error and blend it together and bring that peace 
and union, hv)nesty, justice and rigtit to all our citizans, that is demanded by 
Truth and the spirit of American Liberty. 

35th, As there are no difference in reality between the voters of our country 
that have a common interest in the defusion of justice and the redemption and 
purification of the people's government, and as this foundation and platform ia 
t lie principles of every patriot in the land that loves free institutions, we 
appeal to the patriotism of eyery vottr in the name of Liberty and C >untry 
and for the sake of humanity to give up the imaginjiry difference, lay aside 
that prejudice that binds and enslaves the minds of men ; give up the shadow 
for the substance, error for truth, which is giving up party for country, and 
unite with us in this grand, noble, patriotic work of redeeming, purifying and 
perpetuating the priceless principles and blessing* of self government. 

36th, We contend that it is the blessed privelege and liberty of every citizen 
of om republic to obey the light and teaching of the XIX century which is 
shining with ntonday brightness, calling upon all our voters to be free men 
and stand above party and party prejudice and all other enslaving powers, and 
let Truth reason and justice guide you in the free and peaceful j)aths of true 
wisdom and true judgment, that will lead to individual happiness, national 
justice, fraternal union, and national glory. 

37th, This Platform embraces in its broad principles and condensed base, 
all the blended n.ttihnal truths of government and political economy and 
statesmanship of the 107 of our experiment in free m»dles, but it must ever be 
remembered that tlie whale truth, art, and wisdom of government, statesman- 
ship and governmental or political economy c >nsist in three words, Lov« of 
God, and that tiie whole condensed essence and extract of the People's Prin- 
ciples are embraced in truth as the foundation and the constitution of the 
United Slates the Plaiforin. 

38th, Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, 
do ye even so to them; thus this Platform begins upon Truth and ends upon 
Truth. Respectfully, Thue Blue. 

Seal of Truth [t]. — Nevertheless the foundation of (iod standelh sure, hav- 
the seal The Lord knowelh ihem that are His, and let everyone that nam- 
eth the nam*' of Christ depart from iniquity. Depart from political iniquity 



—24— 

and come lo this true foundation and first principle of National truth, and 
then you stand u pon the Constitution of your noantry, as become the true 
Soldiers of the Crons, to protect and forward God's given liberty and justice 

to men. 

Our blessing was a confirmation of the Oracle of Heaven of a j^overnment 
of the people. Our fathers built upon this faith and were rewarded, and now 
can't the heirs and protectors of the liberty this faith brought be quickened to 
do their duty and unite upon this faith that brings them upon Truth and the 
Constitution of the United States? Then a fraternal union, the true princi- 
ples of a Government of the People, is restored. 

We have been cheered and encouraged in our work daily since 187G, when 
we had the great pleasure of voting for Peter Cooper, the people's candidate 
for President, up to ;he present time (October 24th, 1883,) by the thousands of 
patriots like Col. Harper and Gen. Weaver, in almost every State in the Union, 
who have enlisted in the cause of the people; and also noble women, all 
proclaiming the same truth with tongue, pen and song — that our cause is the 
cause of God, Liberty. J uAtiee and Humanity. We have been a witness to 
see how perfectly the spirit of patriotism and truth guided men, though thous- 
ands of miles apart, t© see, feel and act the same truth. God is marching ou 
by His Almighty Power, inspiring men to do His blessed will for the good of 
humanity. 



CHAPTER 2ND — PART 2ND. 

Brief Lectures on th." People's Platft)rin, talcinor up each Princi- 
ple in order. 

Ist, Truth — Bible Truth is the rock — the firm rock, the unchanging ruck, 
base and foundation upon which our Platform, the Constitution of the United 
States rests, and it should ever be the base and foundation for the building of 
our National building, for the form and design of our government is a gov- 
ernmental truth; therefore it should ever rest on Truth and be carried en by 
Truth, for it beii.g a governmental Truth it is only by Truth that we can 
Bucceasfully carry it on and preserve it, and it is an impossibility to preserve 
it in anv other way, and when the true design of the government is coTupteu 
and perverted as it is at this time, there ij no other way to purify it and cor- 
rect it only by Truth. So the life, reformation and continuation of our govern- 
ment IS resting on Truth ; then how very important it is to have tiuth in every 
principle or plank of a National Plaiform as it is in this, in our opinion, but if 
there is anything in a plank of this Platform that does n( t agree with truth 
and the constitution, it is null and void and no part of this platform* 

The constitution being a governmental Truth, then it naturally rests upon 
this rock and base, as its true foundation and the constitution is the only plat- 
form and true home for every sovereign ot our Republic to stand upon to do 
hii national work, so this is beyond question the people's true platform; and 
all who are patriots and true and desire reformation and a harmonious Union 
must come to this platform and national home to do their Patriotic wo-k, 

Ist," Principle, which re.sti upon the first square, and is part of ttie frame of 
the People's Platform, is of more intrinsic worth than all the gold, silver and 



—25— 

precioHs stone? of the earth, take away from men and women to-day faith in 
God, and jou leave the world all darkness, doubt, and gloom, take away faith 
from our voters in a government Oi' the people and our republic runs into a 
monarchy. 

Faith wa« the birth, growth, and formation otour Republic, it was thifl trn« 
faith that strengthened the hearts and nerved the arras and hands of our fore- 
fathers to sign the Declaration of Independence, manifesting this faith in a 
government of the people when they declared this Truth, that all men were 
created equal, and they proved this faith when they confided their cause to 
the G»d of Justice, pledging their lives, fortunes and most .saore 1 honor in its 
support; and they confirmed their faith through all the trying years of the 
war until it brought its reward as true faith always does, for true faith was 
never known to fail. There is so much truth in this principle that it is really 
the bedrock of our institutions, that orators might dwell on it for days and 
years and still not do it justice. So we will not mar its beauty by any further 
remarks, only by stating this farct. that, if our voters and protectors of liberty 
will ever exercise lull faith in God and a government of the people, our 
Republic will eyer stand a blessing to all mankind. So by faith let us eyer 
stand and build upon the truth of a government of the people. 

The first Motto stands next to the platform on the right and is part of the 
'rame of truWi. for without forgiveness we never can rei-tore confidence and union 
between the sections and the contending elements of oUr country; it is only by 
forgiveness that we can bury our animosities, feuds and prejudices of past 
differences, and co-operat« together with that love, harmony and confidence 
that is necessary for a thorough reform and redemption of constitutional jus- 
tice. Without forgiveness we neyer can unite upon truth and the Constitu- 
tion and haye power to carry it out, for truth can only be carried out by its 
kindred -principles, and forgiveness is one of the living principles and attrib- 
utes of truth, and when there has been a difference of opinion and strife be- 
tween men— when they see it is for their mutual interest to unite together— 
as it is in this case, to carry out principles for thiar general good, the first 
thing lor them to do is to forgive one another of all past errors ; so it is our 
duty to exercise the teachingrt.of the motto and forgive as we hope to be 
forgiven. 

The second Motto — Peace, Virtue and Justice— on the left-hand side of the 
frame, teaches this fact, that the experience of the world, the light of truth and 
this age„proves tliat the only way to enjoy nation il and individual peace is 
t>y virtue a.id justice, and this is the way we propose to restore peace and 
keep the peace of our country, by the impartial diffusion of justice and the 
cultivation of its supports. This motto, like forgiveness, cuvers a grand field 
of national virtue. 

The third Motto that encloses the bottom square of ihe frame of truth and 
the Constitution, coaipleting the frame of the People's Platform for the voters of 
our Republic to unite upon to do their duty as God's selected guards of liberty, 
truth and humanity, is truth above all parties, which should always be the 
motto of every patriot of our land, tor a voter cannot be true and discharge 
his juft duty as a guard and protector of his country unless he supports truth 
before party, and if a voter don't make tiii-' his motto and be loyal to the same, 



—26 — 

he will, before he know." it, find himself nothing but a slave of party, support- 
ing party often to the destruction of truth and the affliction of his country, 
himself and fellow-citizens. This motto should ever be kept with zealous 
pride as one ot the strong guards and protectors ot American liberty. 

2nd Principle, or Centre-post of the Building : No favorite class legisla- 
tion, Ac. It is very plain to any man that underetands the just design of our 
form of government, that it is contrary to itH every principle to pass laws in 
favor of certain classes to the injury of the masses. Jt is at once peryertin" 
the great intention of free government by legislation, going back lo that kind 
of government tliat our father's severed themselves from. For a Republic to 
indulge in pa.ssing favorite class laws is acting the same a« a monarchial 
government,— in fact it is setting up the ways and laws of a Monarchy to rule 
a Republic. When a few rule to the oppression of the many in our Republic, 
the great beauty of a government ol the people and for tlie people is usurped 
and violated, for one class has no rights or favors above another ; justice must 
be dealt out to rich and poor alike. Our institutions guarantee this right to 
all classes, it matters not what may be their faith in politics or religion, st(/p- 
ping not in its equity to fayor a white man above a colored man. Exact 
justice to all and special privileges to none is one of our principles and mottoes. 

3rd. Charity to all and liberty of conscience, &c., is one of the great beauties 
and truths of our form of government. It gives every man 4he liberty of 
conscience, the liberty and right to worship God according to his own reason 
and judgment. The love of thi? right, which is the liberty of every man, 
given to him by his Creator, caused our Pilgrim Father's to give up all the 
1 uxuries of plenty in the Old World and come to this country and stand all 
the hardships and privations ot building up homes in the wilderness, that 
they might enjoy this Ileaven-given liberty of worshipping God according to 
the dictates of their own conscience, under their own vine and tig-tree, with 
none to molest them. The Constitution gives this right to all, aocordino' to 
law and reason. 

4th. Continued separation of Church and State. The separation of church 
and State is a wisdom of goyernment that was wisely conceived and endorsed 
by ourntatesmen over one hundred years ago, and was engrafted in the Con- 
stitution September 17th, 17S7. The experiment of our government has pre ved 
that it was a wise conception, and the history of the world proves the same 
for it will not do to blend church and State together in legislation, for when- 
ever State tries to build up a certain church it always brings trouble upon its 
people, such as wars, &c. This has been proven by many of the past nations 
of the world. The only true way is according to our foim of government 
that gives religious conscience to all men. knowing not in its legislations or 
appointments oBe church denomination abo.'e another. Under this form of 
government truth has free course and will be glorided. 

5th. Equality ol Taxation. The Constitution of the United States knows 
no favored class or favored property, so we contend that the act freeing the 
United States bonds from tax was an act in violation of the spirit of theCon- 
8tifutien,for it at once made a favored class of the rich to the oppression of 
the poor and medium classes that had no money to invest in bonds. The rich, 
who paid th«ir equal proportion of tax, at once invested their surplus money 



—27— 

in bonds, releasing themselves of that much tax and putting the amount of 
which they were relieved upon the poor and middle classes, which is unjust 
and contrary to Kegublican institutions, for this act plainlv lifted taxation, 
according to the amount invested in bonds, off ot the rich and put it on the 
poor, making the poor laboring men, to a certain extent, pay taxes for the 
rich, which is making the poor man indirectly pay tribute to wealth, the same 
as is in raonarchial goyernments, where the poor pay tribute to the Lords and 
Kings. This act is such a plain violation of equality and justice that we 
will pass on, leaving it to the good judgment of our people to condemn and 
never permit it to be done again, tor it is a violation of plain A, B, O justice. 
Let us profit in the future from the errors of the past, and never pass any actt 
of Congress that will have a tendency t© build up an aristocracy to destroy 
our liberty. 

6th. The people must be represented, that the voters of our country may 
rule our country. The majority of our honest, patriotic working-people have 
not been represented for years. That is the cause of our national trouble and 
threatened danger, for while our government is a government of the people, 
we have been living for years under a government of the few, which is an 
insult to high Heaven, an insult to sovereign dignity, and also an insult and 
a libel upon the very names of Democracy and Republicanism that must quickly 
8top to appease the angry frowns of outraged justice. We, the people, are 
determined to correct this evil by asserting our sovereign rights and power 
and rule the country ; for facts prove that, until we do, we never can enjoy 
the blessings of Republican government. 

7th. Tlie office-holders are only servants of the people. We demand, and 
will have, a change back to the principles of self-government; that this usurp- 
ation of the people's sovereignty by officials shall stop. The people are the 
rulers, the office-holders only servants to carry out the will of the people. 

8th. Equal representation of all classe?, which is the true meaning of our 
form of government. Farmers, mechanics, laborers and workingmen of all 
kinds, should have their proportion ; but if any clasi has not its share, Con- 
gress must give each class — capital and labor of all branches — equal and 
exaci justice. • This is the only way to make peace and keep peace between 
the contending classes — between capital and labor , but as labor is the true 
producer of all national wealth and all national strength, it is the tirst duty 
of the goyemmtnt to foster, protect and encourage labor. It is true political 
economy to do so. 

9th, We demand, by legislation, a restriction to justice of all nionopohei> — 
railroad monopolies and all other monopolies — and no more donatioHs of our 
public lands to railroad companies or corporations, for these lands belong (o 
the citizens ot our Republic, and this ex'rav.igant donation and waste of the 
public domain by our public servants, to enrich monojiolist corporations, &c., 
is a great breach of trust, and it must stoft, for we need this land for the chil- 
dren and citizens of our Republic. It was bouglit by the Joil and blood of 
our fathers and it is a great wrong to give it to unjust powers, who use it to 
oppress our people. And we also demand that our public land shall not be 
sold, directly or indirectly, to foreign capitalists — either in small or large tracts. 



10th. Official corruption mlist stop, for we never can save the drift of our 
Republic towards aristocracy and ruin unless we stop this official corruption 
that has become srt common, and that has brought such disgrace upon our 
country that the very thought of a public office suggests all kinds of dishon- 
esty. This itself is a great misrepresentation of the people, for the majority 
of our people desire, above party, purity and honesty in their officials, and 
they demand and will haye it in the place of this official corrui)tion that has 
become so common of late years. This official corruption vvas caused by the 
loss of patriotism among our political leaders, which is a natural result when 
political parties lose sight of the people in their struggle for party supremacy. 
This loss of patriotism is gradually and fast extending down to the people, 
corrupting the ballot, »%c., and endangering every trutli of government. So, 
liberty, virtue and tbe people are determined to haye patriotism among our 
officials, and that will bring reformation in every department of government. 

lllh. Honesty and patriotism should always be the first qualifications for 
official trust, for without unselfish hone.sty and patriotism otBcers cannot be 
true to tneir country or their constituency, and it is plain that the loss of this 
essential virtue among our statesmen is tiie cause of our great national 
debauchery, and it is only by makiug those national purifying principles the 
first qualifications for official trust that we can get out of our great national 
demoralization. It is only by electing men of sterling honesty and patriotism 
to fill our office* that we can ever reform our country and bring it back in its 
true, legitimate channels, and get free of class laws and class legislation. 

12th. Yes! it becomes our duty — our imperative duty — as lovers of liberty 
and protectors of self-government, to prune it from the injurious effect and 
the great danger that now threatens it at the hands of the great monieel com- 
binations, who have, by their great subsidizing power of corruption that 
appeals to eyery weakness of hum^in nature, captured the leaders of the two 
old parties, and subverted and corrupted legislation to such an extent that it 
threatens and promises by its domineering, aristocratic aggnssions upon the 
rights and liberties of the people, to destroy every relic of American justice, 
by making labor, business and production pay too much tribute to its aggress- 
ive power. To do this we must change our financial system so as to save thi» 
excessive interest the people are paying, directly and indirectly, for tlie money 
that goes to build up a monied monopoly that use the same to corrupt the 
ballot box and influence legislation in their favor. VVe want no middle men, 
that are receiving commissions both ways, to furnish the people money that 
should be furnished by the government. The present financial system that 
gives a few men kingly power in n Republic is an insult to the name of liberty, 
truth and justice, and is contrary to all national economy. — See lecture in book. 

13th. We demand through patriotic love for oar governmenf, that has been 
as kind a fatiier and protector to us a* it could be under the circumstances 
(being more or less, at times, in the hands of selfish, ambitious, designing 
men, that prevented it from prottcting us at all times perfectly in our rights 
and liberties), that it exercise the duty it owes to its citizens to get out of 
debt and out of the hands of its enemies, so it can protect its children ; for, 
according to the spirit of the Constitution, it can do it so easily, by making 
legal tenders absolute money — as good as gold — and let these legal tenders 



-29- 

take the place of the national banl^ currency, &c., and pay all debts ot the 
United States as per original contract. 

14th. The argument in this plank is all sufficient, for it plainly shows the 
unwisdom, wrong and oppression of the National banking system. 

15th. This principle gives the goyernment the right of way, which it ha.s, to 
free itself and .get oat of debt — to dispense general justice and equality to the 
masses — and it is the only way to make peace between labor and capital, that 
should always be in harmony and at peace with each other, tor one is depend- 
ent to a great extent upon the other ; therefore they should always be friends 
— one never should trespass upon the rights of the other. But capital shoulu 
ever remember this truth, tiiat labor is both the father and mother of capital, 
and that it can live and thrive without capital , but capital cannot live and 
thrive without labor. This plank shows how to keep business on a firm and 
Holid basis, thereby protecting business, labor and production from being 
robbed by capital. 

16th. This principle is one of the most essential and important planks, 
which should always be exercised by our voters; for it is natural for parties 
fo become corrupt, and when they do become corrupt they afflict iheir country 
with corrupt, partisan legislation, and this is the important reason why it is 
our duty as freemen to be freemen in truth, act and deed — not slaves of any 
party or designing party leaders, to be led like sheep to the slaughter. Let us 
ever be free and independent, so we can always be ready to free our countr)' 
Irom corrupt legislation. If we fail to discharge our duty in this respect we 
are not true to our sovereign capacity. To be true we must always stand 
aboye the blinding influence of party — when casting our decision — ^as High 
Sovereign Judge aT the ballot-box. When casting our vote we must always 
let a higher motive influence our decision than party prejudice. And now, 
when we see that corrupt men have clothed themselves in the livery of 
rational truth to serve eyil, in the truth of Democracy and Republicanism to 
serve the monopolist — to keep honest Democrats and Kapublicans, who have 
a common interest, fighting over names and past dead issues, while they 
usurp the truth — a government of the people — and hand it over into the 
hands of their enemies, it then btcomes our double duty to exercise this 
principle of libi?rty and independence to redeem the sovereignty of the people. 

17th. These three gresit principles and mottoes — Country above all parties, 
equal and exact justice to all men and special privileges to none, and equal 
rights under the law to all— should ever be the motto of all Americans. 

18th. As we have the right to work and vote politically as we see proper, 
and manage our own household and domestic affairs, so we don't violate the 
law, so has a Stale the same right. As our government would run into 
centralized despotism if the sovereign rights of the voter was destroyed, it 
would do the snnie if the constitutional sovereignly of , the States was 
destroyed. Our government is comparative to a great tree : It is the roots 
and body ; the States, the limbs and branches : the voters, the leaves-. Each 
on6 has free and independent functions to perform, but all ale dependent upon 
one another; if the roots and body ab.'orh an<l rob the branches and leaves of 
their free and independent functions it not only injures their beauty and 
strength, endangering their lite, but it also crippleji and endangers the life of 



—30— 

tho parent stem and roots. So, to keep our governmental tree of Liberty in a 
healthful, vigorous, growing, evergreen condition, each part thereof must 
eyer enjoy its independent constitutional functions. 

19th. The majority of our voters must rule ; that is, the will of a majority 
of the yoters must be submitted to, for it is the only way to keep peace and 
harmony' in a repoblican government. 

. 20th. Peace to be obtained and maintained by the ballot box and by 
legislation. The wisdom and statesmanship of this has been proven by the 
past history of our country. The ballot box and legislation is the only true 
way to correct all our national ills. We see what a dreadful affliction was 
brought upon our country in 1861 by the South refusing to submit to the 
decision of the b.illot bo.\. So, as a nation and people, let us be wise in the 
future and always make this our motto — Peace by the ballot box and by 
legislation. There is never any necessity for a goyernment of the people to 
go to war to correct their national evils , the people must do it by their 
sovereign power — by the ballot box and by legislation. 

21st. Peace and good will to all men, according to the tfeachings of the 
Bible and also according to the teachings ol the Constitu.ion, which gives 
every man the right of political and religious liberty. This plank advocates 
the freedom of itie preps and the freedom of speech, two of the great guards 
of republican liberty, and these guard* must ever be kept as free as the air 
that we breathe, Bui one thing we will say, here: Truth and liberty 
demand a reformation ot the American press, for the powers tiiat are threat- 
ening our institutions to a gr::-at extent haye subsidized the press ; and as the 
press wields a great power for good or eyil it should be on the side of the 
people in their contest against the money power. So, we hope and prav that 
truth and patriotism will liberate and hold the press of our Republic, 

22nd. We recommend and demand the passage of strong laws for the pro- 
tection of the ballot box, for we neyer can successfully carry torward and 
establish lasting national reformation without we reform and purify the bal- 
lot box, and we never can preserve our institutions unless we keep the ballot 
box free and pure. 

23rd, It is our duty above any other nation in the world to work for peace 
between nations, because we are the second born national child of God, and 
the first under the new dispensation ; so it is a duty of gratitude that we owe 
to our Crf ator to be the first in forwarding that peace that was so vividly 
illustrated by the Prince of Peace, who gave his life, not only for the forgive- 
ness of the whole world, but for the liberation and freedom of humanity from 
all powers of wrong and oppression and for the peace of the world. So, let 
us always ut-e our influence for peace, that we u^ay honor and glorify him that 
is so good to us. Let the blf^ssing of the peacemaker be our national blessing* 
that we may be truly called the children of God. Arbitration is the true 
way to settle all difficulties between nations. 

24th, Our officials abroad can, by true, honorable, modsst, virtuous deport- 
ment, reflect honor and respect upon our government at home and abroad, 
aod this respect gives us power and prestige towards forwarding the peace of 
the world and also power to novf good .seeds of truth for the growth and 
developement of the human familv. 



—31 — 

•ioth. As lovers of liberty we should sympathize with all men that love the 
came. 

2l5th. Af> there are so many different opinions on the tarifl question we will 
leave it to be settled by the People's National Conventien, under the majority 
rule ; but as it has been a question of discard between the people for so many 
years, the best way to settle it would be by a general vote of the people, for 
politicians have always made it, an>l will continue to make it, a hobby horse 
or a sideshow to attract the attention of the people while they accomplish 
Pome selfish ends. So Congress had better pass an act calling on the people 
to Fettle the tariff question between high, low and medium, (We incline to 
medium, and would vote accordingly,) to be justly digtnbuted by Congreea 
so as to protect all branches of labor and production. 

27th. The Presidential election of 1870 proves that the Constitution of the 
United States • iiould be amended so as to make the people the electors ; and 
10 fully carry out the principles of self government it should be done. 

2Sth. This is one of the foundation principles tlint our fathers started upon, 
as truly expressed in the Declaration of Independence. This was the grand 
object in forming our government — to protect the liberties and rights of the 
people and dispenue general justice to tne masses. They saw and felt, as 
expressed, that when a government was ran contrary tu this true design it 
ceased to discharge its fi"rsl and highest duty ; therefore, we are determined, 
by our free and independent move for national reform, to redeem our govern- 
ment, bring it back to the true design, and run it for the benefit of all the 
people. 

29th. This plank embraces enough true teaching for a long lecture, but as 
all lovers of a Republican form of goyernment at once see its application — 
truth and necessity — we briefly notice. All know that the cultivation of false 
pride, ostentation. &c., leads to aristocratic notions and Teelings that is antag- 
onistic to republican government. 

30th. As every principle of this platform teaches national reformation this 
30th plank teaches it in the plain, simple way — according to the Bible, 
intelligence, and the light of this age — which calh to us with a warning voice, 
that if we do not reform and repent of our national sins, as a nation we die. 
Therefore, let us repent by retormation, and as a naiion live. Ttie way for us 
to repent is to give up false love of party, &c,, for country. 

31st. We have not space to dwell upon the importance of this plank — it 
would take up a small volume itself— for upon the cultivation, growth and 
development of these pure principles the mainstays and support of any gov- 
ernment rests : — the hope, blessing and continuation ol our Republic. Truth, 
reason and experience proves this ; for, without the purifying, elevating truth 
of Christianity a government based upon the divine principles of humane 
jastict coi.ld never ?tand and accomplish its great design of dispensing impar- 
tial justice, for we must have the light and wisdom of Christianity to carry 
out equity, and vc^ must have its attributes— virtue and purity— to keep our 
Republic pure Without true wisdom, the direct fruit of Christianity , our 
legislators and rulers would never have the p wer of truth to conquer selfish- 
ness and wisely legislate for their country above party or class ; and education 
•stands among these as one ot its first props and stays, and courage and 



—.30— 

bravery are also all-important ones. Then comes the two other principles,* 
the last in this gem of National diamonds, but still next to the first, for thev 
are the mainstays and supports of these otlier stays ; for without the cultiva- 
tion and exercising ot honesty and patriotism by our people our government 
will drift into decay and ruin. 

iJ2nd. The Toledo National platform has been our platform to organize 
clubs, to form a union upon ; but the platform h;^s been ours in substance 
ever since tlie 29th of June, 1872. It was a child then, only four years old , 
but. if it was a suckling babeit was ordained with great growing strength, be- 
cause uf the enemy of fr«e institutions. It is the young man of the child 
that we are being lead by, the spirit deposited in the Maryland Institute for 
inspection, clothed in bine, at the base of the words prepared by the same 
leading power for its reception — ''And let ev^eiyoue that na.neth the name of 
Christ depart from iniquity ;" meaning, in this case, to depart from political 
iniquity, come to National truth and help grow it into full national power. 
It is the same child of the now Samson that we stood upon as an independent 
candidate for President in 1872; in doing so we only did our duty, but it 
was a cross to bear, and we gloritied in bearing the cross for the sake of truth 
and country, we being the only men that were organized into the full inde- 
pendent liberty of the people's party in 1872. The writer was, for the sake of 
truth and to forward the idea before the people, forced "to be candidate as well 
as party. Men to-day defame us for the act, as all did at the time, calling 
us insane names, crank, *tc.; but if they could see and feel the true courage, 
patriotism and truth it took to do this, knowing beforehand that men would 
say we were a fit subject for the mad house, they would-be ashamed that 
they had ever said anything to reflect upon us, but would honor us for bearing 
the cross for our country and people, and we feel to-day if we will be true to 
this National child in the future as we have in the past, that the lime will 
come when the American people — whom this National' child will liberate 
trom all enslaving powers and lead them into the fullness of the blessings of 
agovernment of the people — will thank us instead of condemning us, will 
honor us instead of disgracing us for our unflinching devotion to our convic- 
tion of sovereign duty. 

The broad principles of the Toledo platform plainly showed that the same 
spirit of patriotism that had caused them, its framers. to lay aside party for 
the sake ot their country was the same tht t had stimulated u.^, and their 
principle* plainly point to truth and the ( onstitution as the foundation 
platfurm of the People's National Party And this plank briefly shows the 
people's position — that this agitation for reformation is a prlrioiic moveinent 
ol the people, in answer to the call of truth, liberty and country. It is a 
platform making of the people ; it is a movement of the honest people, the 
reading, thinking people— the patriotic people searching for the simple house- 
hold medicine or remedy to heal our Kepublic fromits great chronic disease. 
Here, in the foundation and platform of their own natural building they find 
It within themselves, where it has been looked 'over for years by the great 
National doct:>ra ; and it is found that all that is needed now to restore our 
nation to perfect health and strength is for the people to have the nerve, 
courage and patriotism to administer the remedy, and then our Republic will 



—33— 

be restored. This 32n(l plank endorses? the Chicago platform of June 9, 1880. 

The 33d plank show.s plainly what is a National truth — that a principle 
must a<i;ree wiiii the Constitution of the United States and be for the good of 
the masses to be a National truth. 

34th. As the voters are the ruler.s ot our couniry they are the ones to bring 
forward the principles they want carried out, and in our State and National 
Conventions, under the majority rule, we svill ^!till be gleaners and eclectics, 
and extract truth from error and bind it together for the" welfare of our 
country. This platform is like the Constitution : it amends itself to suit the 
times. It is also like the principles of self government: it has the power 
within itself to purify itself — to ca-st out anything that is wrong and add 
truth in its place. 

3.'')th. This plank claims that there is no difference between the true lovers 
of our country, ana truth, reason and patriotism tell us that there should be 
no difference, for we all have a common interest. Politicians and selfish 
ofHce-seekers, stimulated by the power behind the throne of the money- 
changers — the worshipers of the God of Mammon — make a difference to 
keep the people fighting oyer party while they capture their couniry, the 
ruling power of the people, and hand it over into the hands of their masters, 
whom they serve for the sake of office. Let us be wise and true to eur duty, 
a,« this principle teaches, cooperate together and vote together for the general 
good and teach the politicians of the old parties that we, the people, are the 
power upon the throne of the God of liberty, truth and justice, erected and 
dedicated to us by our heroic fathers of 177u , and that if they would hold 
the offices of the country they must and shall forever serve the God of liberty, 
truth and justice instead of the God of Mammon, bondage and oppression. 

36ih. We contend it is the duty of our citizens to obey the light of this age, 
which i.s pointing with noonday brightness to the path of true wisdom, with 
the almighty voice ot truth resounding tlirough the long ages of the past, 
calling upon us to be wise and walk within their peaceful shades of liberty 
and elevated manhood, and be free men in every sense by freeing ourselves 
from party prejudice and slavery— prejudice of section, creed, sect or color , 
By so doing we will be lead into individual blessings of happiness and Na- 
tional peace, union, happiness and power, thence inUj the fulness of National 
glory, and thence, 1 might safely add, info the glory of the millenial age, 
when all will do unto others as they would have otiiers do unto them. 
'37th. This simple, yet grand principle of the people's platform speaks for 
Itself and teaches tnis great governmental truth, that the whole wisdom and 
art of government, statesmanship and political economy consist in the love 
of (70(1. This fact is not only proven throughout the pages of liie Bible, but 
it is also proyen in every nge of the history of the world ; therefore if a man 
wants to be a statesman, to legislate and make laws for the good of his 
country and the happiness of his people,_if he is wise he will first give hi* 
heart to God, the giver of all true wisdom, judgment, statesmanship, &c. 
This platform covers a broad platform of principles. But the whole essence 
of the people's principles, and all that is needed to build us into the fulness 
of National peace, union, happiness and prosperity is contained in the first 
trutli and t!ie Constitution of the United States. 



—34— 

3Sth. The golden rule principle - which is the principle of the National 
reformers. They see the heanty of thi^ golden rule as it wa^ taught by the 
great truth of earth and Heaven — (Jhrist — that if men would carry it out 
they would never trespaps upon the rights and liberties of their fellow men, 
but give to all the same rights, &c., they reserve to themselves ; and they rec- 
ognize that the Constitution of the United States extends and demands this 
charity to and from every citizen of our Kepublic. This platform f f the 
people and for the people does truly commence on truth and end on truth. 

The call of truth to our people : "And let everyone that nameth the name 
^f Christ depart fr.im iniquity" — depart from the corruption of the old parties. 

Call of patriotism, truth and duty : ''And now let eyeryone that loyeth 
the name of truth, that gave his life for the liberation, justice, elevation, 
happiness and peace of all humanity, come to this Ijational truth. 

Respectfully, True Bt^cje. 



And let everyone that love-s a government of the people, by the people and 
for the people, depart from political corruption an 1 come to National truth, 
is the call and demand of the spirit of American liberty and the spirit of 
American patriotism. For it is the only way to restore a harmonious union 
of the people of the States upon the grand Heayen inspired National truth 
of a government of the people. Luther <J. Shinn. 



It is hoped that all that may read this work — that are convinced it is the 
true way — will lay aside party prejudice and go to forwarding this way with 
all the energy and patriotism that truth and country can inspire them with ; 
and should anyone desire the form to complete the organization and union of 
the friends of li.berty, truth and justice in a people's party, according to the 
principles recommended by this book, if they will send me IT) cents in postage 
stamps I will send the form for organizing, with minute direclio.is con^ 
cerning uniforms, badges, flags, (&c., order of pro.^ession, r.-ir.k of committee- 
men, &c. We here give the condensed plan : 

let. Reorganize by clubs or companies in sub districts or townships, electing 
first, second and third committeemen— tir«l committee'nau to be President of 
the club. Presidents of clubs form county committee. 

2nd. Presidents of county committees form Congressional committee , and 
Presidents of Congressional committees constitufe State committees. 

Sd. Presidents of State committees constitute National committees. To for-' 
ward organization the President of the National fomtiittee has power to 
appoint Presidents of State committees. Presidents of Slate committees to 
appoint Presidents of (Ongressional committees, and so on down lu clubs; 
but after the clwbs are organized all appointments of the State must be con- 
firmed or new men elected in ihe:r place by tlie club, and so on up. When 
there is only one club in a Stale it may act, through its committt-e, for the 
whole Sta;e until further organized. The great benefit of tiiis plan is, a Mate 
(;an be organizing both ways at once ; the committeemen of the National 
Greenback Labor party to act as our committees until superceded by this plan. 

Here is the short form of the resolution that must be endonsed before any 
person tan become a member of the Peoplu's organization : 



—35— 

"Indorsing the principles of the Chieago platforna of June 9th, 1880, we here- 
by lay aside all party prejudice and unite upon truth as the foundation and 
the Constitution of the United States as the platform of all our National 
principles and National work, inviting all patriots of our Republic that have 
faith in a government of the people, by the people and for the people, to do 
the same ;■ and let us join hands, hearts, minds and power upon this solid, 
unchanging rock, base and platform of American liberty. 

Our motto is : Correct all National ills by truth, which is by education, by 
the ballot-box and by legislation." 



A copy of two planks of our platform, written October 23d, 18G8, was sent to 
tlie National Intelligencer, New York Tri^wjie and New York Times for publication. 
The New York Tribune is the only paper that ptibhshed it. to my knowledge. 

1. The Con.stitution of the United States, with all faith in God that He will 
give me true wisdom to carry it out to the very letter and meaning. 

'2nd policy : Forgive as yow hope to be forgiven , 

LtjTHEK C. Shinn. 



You see the same simple Bible faith manifested in this first platform that is 
in the last. I yoied in this election for Lute Shinn's platform and the people's 
candidate, staling on the back of my ticket that the leading candidate would 
be the people's candidate. You see I was the first man at the ballol-bo:. in 
our Republic that voted to forgive the South. 

We have prepared a book for publication which will give a full lecture on 
this platform, and we hope that the sale of this abridged sketch will enable 
us to publish the full work. Evt r a friend of all the people, 

LtTTHEK C. Shinn. 

Greenback Labor Platform Adopted at Chicago June 9, 1880. 

Civil government should guarantee the divine right of every laborer to the 
re'sullp of his t-jil. thus mabling the producers of wealth to piovide themselves 
with the means of jihvfical comfort, and the facilities for mental, social and 
moral culture ; and we condemn, as unworthy our civilization, the barbarism 
whicli iujposes upon the wealth-producers a state of perpetual drudgery as 
the price of bare animal existence. iNotwithst.m.ling the enormous increase 
of productive power, tlie universal introduction of labor-saving machinery, 
and the discovery of new agents for the increase of wealth, the task of the 
laborer is scarcely lightened, the hours of toil are but little shortened, and 
few producers are lifted from poverty in comfort and pecuniary independence. 

The associated monopolies, the international syndicate.? and c)tner income 
classes, demand dear money and cheap labor, a "'strong government," and 
hence a weak people 

(Corporate control o! the volume ol money lias been the means of dividing 



—36— 

Fociety into hostile classes, of the unjust distribution of the prodiictsof labor, 
and of building up monopolies of ast?ociated capital endowed with power to 
confiscate private property. It has kept money scarce, and scJ'rcity ot 
money enforces debt trade and public corporate loans — debt engenders usury 
and usury ends in the btnkruptcy of the borrower. 

Other results are deranged markets, uncertainty in manufacturing enter- 
prise and agriculture, precarious and intermittent employment for the laborer, 
industrial war, increasing pauperism and crime, and the consequent intimi- 
dation and disfranchisement of the producer, and a rapid declension into 
corporate feudalism. 
Therefore we declare : 
1. That ihe right lo make and ist^ue money is a sf)vereign power, to be 
maintained by the; people for the common benefit. The delegation of this 
riglit to corporations is a surrender of the central attribute of sovereignty, 
void of constitutional sanction, conferring upon a subordinate irresponsible 
power on absolute dominion over industry^ and commerce. All money, 
whether metallic or paper, should be issued and its volume controlled by the 
government, and not by or through banking corporations, and when so issued 
siiould be a full legal tender for all debts, public and private. 

2. That the bonds ot the United States shoahl not be refunded, hot paid as 
rapidly as is practicable, according to caatract. To enable tlie government 
to meet these ooligations legal tender currency should be substituted for the 
notes ©f the national banks, the national banking system abolished and the 
unlimited coinage of silver, as vv^ell as gold, established by law. 

3. That labor should be so protected by National and State authority as to 
equalize fts burdens and secure a just distribution of its results ; the eight- 
hour law of Congress sli.ould be enforced : the sanitary condition of industrial 
establishments jilaced under rigid control ; the competition of contract con- 
vict labor abolished ; a bureau of labor statistics established ; the emplov- 
ment of children under fourteen years of age forbidden, and wages paid in cash . 

4. Slavery being simplv cheap labor, am' cheap labor being simply slavery, 
the importation and presence of Uhinene- serfs necessarily tends to brutalize 
and degrade American labor; therefore immediate steps should be taken to 
abrogate the Eurlingame treaty. 

'). Railroad land grants forfeited by reason of non-fulfillment of contract 
shouid be immediately reclaimed by the government, and henceforth the pub- 
lic domain reserved exclusively as homes for actual settlers. 

<■>. It is the duty of Congress to regulate inter-State commerce. All lines of 
communication and transpottation should be brought under such legislative 
control as shall secure moderate, fair and uniform rates tor i)assenger and 
treight .traffic. 

7. We denounce, as destructive to prosperity and dangerous to liberty, the 
action of the old parties in fostering and sustaining gigantic land, railroad 
and money corporations and monopolies invested with and exercising powers 
belonging to the government, and yet not responsible to it for the manner of 
their exercise. 

S. That the ' onstitiition, in giving Congre'-s the power to borrow money, to 
declare war, to raise and support armies, to provide and maintain a navy. 



—37— 

never intended that the men who loaned their money for an interest consid-* 
eration should be preferred to the soldier and sailor who periled their lives 
and shed their blood on land and sea in the delense of their country, and we 
condemn the cruel clap« legislation of the Republican party, which, while 
professing great gratitude to the t?oldier, has most unjustly discriminated 
against him and in favor of the bondholder. 

9. All property should bear its just proportion of taxation, and we demand 
a graduated income tax. 

10. We denounce, as most dangerous to liberty, the efforts everywhere 
manifest to rt^strict the right of suffrage. 

11. We are opposed to an increase of the standing army in time of ptace, 
and the insidious scheme to establish an enormous military power, under the 
guise of militia laws. 

12. We demand absolute democratic rules for the government of Congress, 
placing all representatives of the people upon an equal footing, and taking 
away from committees a veto power greater than that of the President. 

13. We demand a governmect of the people, by the people and for the 
people, instead of a government of the bondholders, by the bondolders and 
for the bondholders ; and we denounce any attempt to stir up sectional strii'e 
as an effort to conceal monstrous crimes against the people. 

14. In the furtherance ol these ends we ask ;,the cooperation of all fair- 
minded people. We have no war with individuals, wage no war upon classes, 
but only against vicious institutions. We are not content to endure further 
discipline froiu our present actual rulers, who. having dominion over money, 
over transportation, over land and labor, and largely over the press and ma- 
chinery of government, wield unwarrantable power oyer our institutions and 
over our lives and property. 

.A-:E=:E=EiNrr)i2^. 

THIRD CHAPTER. 

Combining the National truths of the peoples True Blue platform and the 
Greenback Labor platform of June 9, 18S0, we have comparatively a com- 
plete code of people's principles that should all rest upon their own home 
base and foundation — truth and the Constitution of the United States — for 
all these principles [Oainly call for their Fource and fountain-head from 
which they emanated ; for Bible truth is the fountain-head of ever}' truth of 
a goyernment of the peo[)le, and the Constitution of the United States is the 
fountain-head o!' every National truth. So every principle of National 
economy calling for the support of the friends of our form ot government 
should rest upon the.roregoing foundation and platform, so all patriots of all 
parties that love our form of government can unite upon the same and make 
it their work to perfect all National principles with the foundation and plat- 
farm, taking into consideration the importance of all men of all parties that 
are patriots — loving their country above party — uniting, which must be done 
before we can do much towards National reform. I, for one, am willing to 
unite with any and all ihat will lay aside party for country. Making truth 
and the Constitution, as framed in tliis book, the foundation and, platform of 



-38— 

all our National principles, leaving it to the majoricy rule to build principles 
thereon, and also leaving it lo the people's true representatives, thpt a union 
ot this kind would elect, to legislate for all the people, above any or all par- 
ties ; for we feel sure that whenever the people by union and cooperation 
redeeir the government and elect their own representatives, that these repre- 
sentatives will be true to the people's interest and pas< those financial laws of 
reform and progress that wisdom, truth, reason, statesmanship, patriotism, 
justice, national economy and the perfecting of our Republic demand. 

Respectfully, Tkue Blue. 

Address to our co-workers in 1S7S, after the fall elections. 
Published in the Chicago Sentinel: 

I would say to all of our brother reformers that have been called by the 
inspiration of liberty and patriotism to break the chains of party slavery lor 
the sake of truth, justice and humanity, to stand firm in your noble position 
and let not the flattering offer of place or office in either of the old parties 
decoy you trom your post of duty as sentinels of liberty. Though many of 
you may be poor and needy in worldly things, like myself, let not the promise 
of money, wealth or influence, blind or bribe you in the least to compromise 
your patriotism and giye up the National truth that God has inspired and 
trusted you with to missionize, reform and redeem your country. Remember 
this fact — never forget it— and let it ever prompt your honesty and patriotism 
to ever be true and strong to resist every taxation ; that it was through the 
corrupting power uf money, the false love of party we'illh, luxuries of office, 
bribery, &c„ that brought our country into the deplorable pronstrated condi- 
tion that it is to-day ; and it is only by resisting bribery and standing above 
all those false and deceptive influences in their diflPerent bearings to subjugate 
truth, that we can ever cenquer this demoralizing National destructive power 
and reform our country. Let us persevere on in this National road of sover- 
eign duty that we have for the love of truth, liberty and justice started upon; 
let no false power or false ambition decoy us from this public highway of 
National reformation ; let us stand firm to the last, though we continucjpoor — 
while others around us grow rich and strong by compromising patriotism and 
honesty, by fraud and disloyalty in selling to the money power and political 
rings — let us stand firm like granite upon our foundation and platform of 
National truth. Though we be poor in worldly wealth and worldly honor 
we will be rich in true indepfendence, manhoi^d, virtue, honesty and patriotism, 
that is of more intrinsic value than all the wealth and honor of the world 
beside. While otners grow rich in that which is worthless and soon f;\des 
away — by bowing, cringing, serving, flattering and obeying those idolatrous 
powers that are enslaving and destroving every virtue in the land — let us 
grow rich in that true richness that fadeth not away, that will live and flour- 
ish and ever be green throughout all the ages of rternity, by ever bowing, 
serving and obeying the mandates of God, country, and the cause of human 
justice and human liberty. Tkuk Blue. 



[Note; — We must have truth, which is religion, in National afl[airs ; that 
is, we must have truth in politics. For it is just as important to have truth 



—39— 

in National affairs as it is to have truth in our every-day work or Oueiness. 
See Lectures in our complete work : bit, "Our nation has forgot God." 2nd. 
"Our nation CQUst return to God."j 



Announcement; first, to force a Convention, August 9th, 1882. 
Second — After our nominee had declined his nomination in iavor 
of General Goff", September 30th, 18S2, ten olays before the elec- 
tion, being convinced that some ot our friends have listed to 
false advice: 

We hereby announce Luther C. Shinn as the People's National Reform 
Candidate for Congress, for the First Congressional district of West Virginia. 
National truth and the Constitution of the United States is the base and 
foundation of all his National principles and National work. His great aim 
and motto is to cerrect all our National ills by peace, by appealing to the 
patriotism of the people, by the ballot box and by legislation. All voters of 
the First District that will be free from old party prejudice for the sake of 
redeeming a government of the people, by restoring it back into tlie hands of 
the people, will be doing their duty as protectors of liberty and justice by 
supporting this independent candidate, whose life and heart is devoted to a gov- 
ernment ot the people. Respectiully, a friend of the people, Tkue Blue. 



ADDRESS AFTER THE ELECTION. 

To the Nationals who stood firm like the patriots of old : 

We thank you with the overflowing gratitude of a heart that beats in 
National affairs only for the happiness of our people and the good of our 
Kepublic. for the firm, devoted stand you exhibited on the 10th inst., for your 
conviction of sovereign duty as protectors of the rights of men. When 
many of your friends surrendered to the power of your enemies, and demand- 
ed you to do the same — bringing all the prejudice of partv to bear, in its 
most seductive way, to drive you from ytur positions — you still stood firm, 
like granite, as champions and defenders of the grand National redeeming 
principles of the National Labor Eeform movement. Your firmness and 
devotion to your convictions of the duty you owe to country, truth and 
humanity compaies with tiie patriotism exhibited bv the noble heroes of 1770; 
and we can truly bay that the same spirit and love of liberty that stimulated 
the minds and nerved the hearts and arms of our forefathers, the builders of 
our beautiful Republic, inspired you to stand the test on the lOlh of October, 
1882. You preyed yourselves not wanting in the higher principles and noble 
attribptes that it takes to compose a true son and guard of liberty, that it 
takes to compofC a full independent sovereign, according to the grand models 
of our form of government. 

Friends, you have proved yourselves patriots of the first stamp. When 
strong men were submitting and surrendering to the overflowing tide of 
reverse that was forced on them by all die powerful influences of party preju- 
dice and the corrupting power of money in all its subsidizing ways, you still 
stood to your post like men. doing all you could to keep the old guards and 
veterans of liberty from being annihilated. Thank God, yon, by your bravery, 
truth and patriotism, stopped the tide and saved the old guards, which is one 



—40— 

of the greatest victories yon have yet gained ; for the deep-lard plans and 
schemes of our enemies were to completely absorb and destroy in this section 
our independent movement, but by your firmness and steadfastness to prin- 
ciple yon have saved it and taught its advocates many lessons of wisdom that 
will be profitable in the future. One i» that none but the true, that have 
burned the old party bridge behind and know no surrender or retreat, shall 
be heard in the councils of the People's National Labor party. And I say 
this to the veteran guards of liberty in our district, who had the manhood 
and. patriotism to resist the corrupting power of the old party leaders — the 
agents of the monopolist — and stood up to be counted, as a protest against 
the money power : Though you did not elect youi' friend, who threw himself 
in the center of the broken ranks, exposed to the darts of the enemies both 
ways, offering himself freely as a sacrifice rather than see our Congressional 
banner, that we raised in 1878. surrendered and trailed in the dust by our 
foes in 1872, yet eyery one of your votes is worth one hundred of the votes 
that were given for the leaders of the old parties ; for your votes are the only 
votes that were not thrown away — they are the only votes that will be counted 
in our district against the invasion oi the money combination upon the rights 
of the American citizens. Upon the true, tried and proyen veteran guards of 
liberty of the 18th of October, 1882, we confer the cross of honor. 
Your friend. True Blue. 



Encouragement to our co-w^orkers. Published in the Republic, 
October 14th, 1S82, 

Friends ©f National reform, be not discouraged, but be encouraged, for our 
cause is brighter than it ever has been before, for defeat is gleaning us of bad 
material and perfecting the true for their great trust of carrying forward to 
National supremacy our national saving principles of political economy. 
We have full faith that the day is not far distant when the God-given truths 
that we are contending for will triumph over all wrong, bondage ami slavery 
in this Heaven -barn, free land of America; that a government of the people, 
by the people and for the people will bp redeemed from all its usurpers — the 
money power and their co-allies, the leaders of the two old parties — and be 
firmly establislied upon the principles of godly justice and godly liberty, as 
taught by the Bible and the Constitution of the United States, which makes 
all our people the rulers of our Republic — not that a tew should rule and 
oppress the many. We haye perfect faith that the day is not far distant when 
downtrodden labor will be emancipated ; that tlie men who are obeying the 
commands of God by making their bread by the sweat of their face, shall 
have full recompense ; that labor, the true producer of all National •wealtli 
and National strength, shall be fostered, protected and encouraged by State 
and National legislation. 

We have full faith that the father of tiiis second born National child of 
truth (t) has decreed that our peojjle shall be led by the light of liberty, 
patriotism, reason and justice, out of the idolatry and slavery of party ; oui 
of bondage and oppression into the full light and freedom of the nineteentli 
century, into the full National blessing o! the promised land, where the milk 
(t) Jewish governiuent the first, ours the second and the first under! he dispensation of Christ. 



—41 — 

and licney of Constitutional justice will bountifully flow to all our people, 
free I'roin ihe impiirilifes of favorite class laws. For this to be the blessing of 
our Republic the corrupt power of the two old parties must die, and all the 
truth and patriotism that is in them must bs resurrected in the People's Na- 
tional Labor party. Be true and firm, for we are sure to win. 

Because our party is the only party that has couraj^e to stand up for the 
rights of the people ; 

Because our |)arty is the only party that teaches Bible justice and Coniti- 
tntional liberty ; 

Because our'party is the only People's party ; 

Because our party is the only National party ; 

Because our party is the only Union party ; 

.Because our party is the only Republican party; 

Because our partv is the only Democratic party ; 

Because our party is the only party that demands justice to the masses ; 

Because our party is the only party that is a trua friend to ' labor and 
production ; 

Because the People's National party is the only party that can restore 
fraterijal union and save our governmen*, from running into an aristocracy. 

The foregoing is our light, knowledge and faith, and our faitli is true. 
Devils may mock and idle party worshippers may scoff, but true faith was 
never known to fiiii. Your Qo-worker. Trite Blue. 



EXPLANATION AND ANSWER TO A FALSE CHARGE. 

It has been charged often behind my back and orjce ie a public paper, to 
my knowledge, that I was a crank, because I announced myself a candidate 
for President of the United States. 

I frankly acknowledge that I did announce myself for President, first in 
18(58 — second time, in 1872. I am glad to think that God gave mo the 
courage to do it, and I have faith to believe that it will be an honor to my 
country and a gloty to humanity long after all such fuen as those who made 
this charge have passed away and been forgotten, for in announcing mvself 
as a candidate — when looked at by a careful, impartial mind that is free from 
the cloudy, cranky, blinding slavery of party prejudice — proves extremely to 
the contrary this false charge. It proves, when looked at by the light of true 
judgment and true patriotism, that my eyes had been fully opened to the fact 
that if our voters would save our country from National ruin at the hands of 
the political cranks, that they must get out of tiie prejudice of tue old par- 
ties and unite in a People's National party ; and to start that way, we saw 
the wisdom of publishing the People's Platform and announcing ourself as a 
candidate for President. It was my duty to do so, to be true to my blessing 
and true to my convictions. Being the first converted by the power of Al- 
mighty truth that nothing but a People's Party, made up of the patriots of 
the two old parties, could save )ur government from its threatened danger, it 
became my imperative duty to bring this saving way before the public as 
soon as possible; and being the onlv member of tiiis free and independent 
party at tliat time I was compelled to be boili i)arty and candidate. I ktiew 
at the time that many would call me a crauk. &^: , which has been a cr)ss to 
bear — afflicting me and mv tamily in many ways — but I thank God, from my 
heart, for giving me strength to bear it, and lam willini;; to bear it on as long 
as I live, if it will l-e the means of saving my country and restoring a fi ater- 
nal union upon the just, perfected principles of a government of the people. 

Truth says to both the Republican and Democratic parties that they should 
he the last to charge us with crankism for they b;)th live in ijlass houses, and 
their leaders have become so partisan and pelBsh that they have lost the 
essential principles of Democracy and Republicanism, and im;tgiue in their 
partisan blindness that they and a few others who furnish' the corruption 
funds to endanger a government of the people shou hi rule the country. When 



—42- 

you weigh these old parties in the scales of justice it is hard to tell which has 
produced the most cranks. Each produced one that killed a Presidewt, and 
both parties are now loaded down to the guards with cranky leaders who 
imagine in their partizan hallucination that our Republic — a government of 
the people — was made for their esjpecial use and benefit, judging by the per- 
fect disregard they have for the true interest of the people. National cranks 
are men that become so blind in their selfish political views that they think 
it all right to do any kind of wrong if it will help their own party into power 
or keep it in power. National sanity is tw correct all these wrongs by the law, 
by the ballot box and by legislation ; in a word Natinnal sanity is to bring 
truth into National afl'airs, and this is what we have been advocating for 
years. So let us now, united and all together — irrespective of party — go to 
work to save our country from the affliction of National cranks. 

Respectfully, Luther C. Shinn. 

Note: — We do not condemn the Democratic and Republrcan parties through 
any disrespect for Democracy or Republicani-im ; it is because we loye the 
true principles ol thes« old parties, aiul »vaiu to .save them by saving a gov- 
ernment of the people. It is not through any. malice toward any men that 
we condmn the National banking laws and our financial class laws, but it U 
through love for all uiir people and patriotism for our country that we con- 
demn these class laws, for they are calculated to bring ruin upon all thw m 'n 
that are at present reapii>g the benefits of them, as well as the men that are 
now reaping the evils of them. So it is love for all humanity in our country 
that prompts us to advocate those principle-i of Natuiral reform. Our great 
aim i« to save the e-isence of Democracy and Republicanism, and then our 
connlrv i.-s safe. 



The strength of otir faith is fomuled on the acts ami deeds of 
our father's. 

Yon can trace the strength of our faith in a government of the people in 
all the public acts and deeds of all the potriotia, liberty-loving men, through 
every epoch of our history back t.) the birth of our Republic, and the Decla- 
ration of Independence— which was the t)irth oi our Republic — was based 
upon this faith, the CL>nstitution of the United 8tates was formed upon this 
truth of government, and the Bible— the true lighi to all wisdom — teaches 
this kind of government. But you can see, on investigation, that our history 
is doited by dark blurs all through its pages, up to the close of the civil war, 
by rich and brilliant minds like Alexander Hamilton, who advocated a limi- 
ted government of the peopie ; but this was nectxs-^arv, that ilie true, unselfish 
Iriends of liberty might see thf truth of government as advocated by General 
George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and thousands of otliers of their time, 
and at a later day by the great friend of humanity, Abraham Lincoln. And 
now, since (he war, which enabled a few men to get very rich by speculating 
oft" of our national disaster, iho-ie dots iind blurs have become a great dark 
eloud, charged with ligiiming, thunaer and storm, that even threatens to de- 
stroy every principle of a government of the people. It is yet an under- 
curi-ent, but it is gathering such power that, if it is not checked by the people 
unionizing tipon this grand idea of a government of the people, it promises 
soon to gattier such force that it will become a back lash, sweeping a govern- 
ment of the people back into a government of a.m')narc!iy ; for (lie history 
of the records of IJongiess is blurred and clouded tliroughout with class laws 
f)f this kind, from li'(o u[). Often oilr loye for the government of our father's 
ii« shocked by such sentiments as these — said by men whose patriotism has 
become corrupted and perliaps destroyed by the demoralizing powt»r of wealth 
— that there is too much liberty in this Republic; men that own the property 
should u'ake the -laws ; money, the m(»»t practical basis for citizenship and the 
franchise, t^c. All of this is a warning of a gathering storm that it is dan- 



—43 — 

gerous in the extreme not to heed — tliat the sailors of the guod old vesRel of si 
■government of the people should lack about from, put on all sail and full 
steam, and make for the port of safety before it is too late. 

ATTENTION, ALL PATKIOTS OK ALL PAKTttIs! " 

We will either in j>er«oix or by communication request all National Con- 
ventions th?t meet next year to adopt the People's True Blue Platform, as 
framed \i- this book, and then pass^ a resolution to adjourn to meet the dele- 
<<ate« of all other parties in convention, time and place of meetini? to b« 
arranged by the National Executive Committees of the Democratic, Republi- 
can and Greenback -Labor parties ; and there and then, by a harmonious union 
iimier the majority rule principle, adopt what principles they see proper to 
rest upon the foregoing foundation and platform, then nominate the people's 
candidates for President and Vice President of the United States, and then 
adjourn and go home and elect them, without spending millions of money to 
corrupt the ballot box and demoralize more or lei^s every citizen of our 
Republic. Fellow citizens, this is the quick way of restoring a fraternal 
union of all eur people, upon the grand principles of a government of the 
people. We appeal to you, in the name of truth ; can't you lay aside party 
names and prejudices for the sake of peace, union and country, and thereby 
save io much precious labo" and time ? For the People's National Party is 
hound to be brought into power, if it takes years to do it. This proposition 
is in accordance with the liglit and wisdom of this age. Statesmen, of all 
parties, come to the light of this simple A, B, C political economy, and then 
all shall be peace, and a fraternal union upon constitutional justice t© all 
men will be restored. — [See Lecture on Platform.] Respectfully, 

True Blue. 



THE ANCHOR OF HOPK. 

The hope of our Republic is resting in the hands of Providence and upon 
the intelligence, honesty and patriotism of the people. They may often 
through party influence and human weakness err and go wrong, but if they 
are at heart patriotic, honest and true God will inspire them to see their rais- 
t ikes, and if discus.sion is free, the ballot free and the press free, they will 
correct all wrongs in time to save the lost ground, and learn true wisdom for 
the benefit ot the future from the errors of the past, andatill more and more 
perfect the divine principles of a government of the people, tor the liberty, 
eltvation and happiness of all the people. In a word, we have laith — abid- 
ing laith— in God and a government of the |)eople. This faith was the birth 
and life of our Republic, and by the blessing, love and mercy of an over- 
ruling Providence it will be the redemption and perpetuation of our Republic. 
So we will close this book with the spirit of .Tohn Adaiis. Faith in God and 
a government of the people, is our living sentiment atid principles, and, bv 
ihe blessing of God it shall be our dying sentiment and principles. .\ gov- 
ernment of the people now, and a government of the people forever. 

So wp appeal to you, in the name of the God of Truth, the fountain-source 
of all libertv, peace and justice, to no longer suffer yourselves to be lead 
astrav bv the agents of Mammon, the agents of party idolatry, the agents ol 
National sin ; but iei the God of Truth, I^ibdrty and .[notice lead you, and 
then von will be a volunteer member of this True Blue armv that is now 
marching on with firm and solid tread to Save our Republic from beinK 
charmed and stricken to death and swallowed up into a monarchy by this 
monster reptile that has grown so fat. enormous, deadly ami uowerful on the 
blond. Ubor and sweat of the people that it now threatens the destruction of 
every truth in the land. 

Ever the friend ol li'>ertv, patriotism and the neojjle, and a government of 
the peophi, " Tkue Blck. 



-44- 



Ist Principle — "By faith tve stand and build upon this Truth 
Faith in Ood and a Government of the People." 



1st. Truth, the foundation, and the 
Constitution of the United States the 
platform of all our National principles 
and National work. With unwavering 
faith, devotion and patriotism' in the prin- 
ciples of a goyernment of the people — 
with perfect faith in God that he will giye 
us, the people, statesmanship, &c., and true 
wisdom and power to carry out the Con- 
stitution to the letter and meaning accord- 
ing to truth and justice, and restore fra- 
ternal union, justice, confidence, happi- 
ness and prosperity lo the government and 
the masses of the people. 



^^•s^ifind ]p aaoqv fijjunoQ puu ■' HP^Zti — onoi\[ p{? 



V— : I— r*. I— r*. j^ ' I ' X\ - 

In Preface— First word and iird line from bottom, read 'and' instead ot 'of.' 
Page 5 — Third word and i5rd line from bottom, read 'poison' instead of 'pro- 
vision.' 
Page G — Tenth line from bottom, read 'haying, instead of 'showing.' 
Page 6 — Ist, Eead the word "cross' three times instead of 'crops.' 

"' 2nd, Read 'Dissimulation' instead of 'discrimination.' 

Page 8 — 1st, Read "patriot' instead of 'pattriot.' 

" 2nd, Read 'as it was revealed' inetead ot "it was revealed.' 

Page 9 — Read 'to all men' instead of 'to men.' 
Page 12 — Read 'Richland, W. Va,' instead of 'Richmond.' 

" Last word and 4th line from bottom, read 'man' instead of 'many.' 

Page 15 — Read 'decoy' instead of 'decay.' 
Page 17— Read 'inspire' instead of 'insure. 

Page IS — Second line from top, read 'unrighteous' instead of 'unwritten,' 
Page 20 — In Platform, 9th Principle, read 'restriction to Justice' instead of 

'a just restriction.' 
Page 23 — In Platform, o7th Principle, read 'national' instead of 'natihnal.' 
Page 28 — In lecture on the 12th Principle, read 'the use of money' instead of 

'the money.' 
Page "0 — 1st, In lecture on 32nd Principle, 'this' platform instead of 'the' 
platform . 
" 2nd, 'And' come to national truth. 

" 3rd, The only 'man' instead of 'men.' 

Page oG- -First plank in Chicago Platform, 'an' absolute instead of 'on.' 



-44- 



